Personal Development
Enjoy Your Work, Plan Your Fun
By Jim Stovall
Dec 8, 2003 - 7:45:00 AM

In the high pressure of our busy, fast-paced society, it is often easy to lose one's perspective. Too often, we are controlled by our jobs and careers instead of controlling them. We somehow come to believe that there is something noble about working too many long, hard hours while ignoring our personal and recreational lives.

It is important to remember that the distinction between our personal and professional lives is only in our mind. We have one life with a limited number of years, weeks, days, and minutes. How we invest this precious time can make all the difference. Most of us have intense schedules with lists or day planners that budget every moment throughout the day. We have tasks that demand our attention that we struggle to find time to deal with. In this environment, our recreational time or personal time often gets relegated to whatever is left over. Unfortunately, too often there is no time left over, and we find ourselves getting rundown and burned out.

If you go to your work every day and allow the job to control your time instead of you controlling your time, you may find that it will take every bit of time, effort, and energy you have--and maybe a little bit more. There is always more to do and something awaiting your attention.

You have got to ask yourself the critical questions. 1. What if I don't do this now? 2. What if I don't do this at all? 3. Is this my project or priority or is it someone else's? 4. Is this activity critical to get me from where I am to where I want to be? 5. Can anyone accomplish this task other than me?

May I suggest that we apply at least as much focus and energy to our personal and recreational time as we do to our business and professional lives. Hopefully, you have a maintenance schedule for your car, your home appliances, etc.

These are important because they help us take care of valuable, expensive equipment; however, your most valuable equipment is you. Recreation, vacation, and personal time are critical to your success. You may find that you can get more done in less time if you will take care of your own mental and physical health than you can by overworking and not maintaining your own equipment.

As you go through your day today, be sure to enjoy your work and plan your fun.

Today's the day!

Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a published author, columnist, and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082, or by e-mail at JimStovall@aol.com.

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