Finding Balance in a Demanding World

By Claudine Motto

Finding balance is difficult when the demands on our time never stop. We need to give our attention to our businesses or careers, to our relationships and loved ones, and somewhere in between, to ourselves.

When we lack the proper attention in any one of those areas, we feel like something’s missing, like we’re spinning our wheels.  But “proper” attention means something different to each individual – here are 7 steps to help you define what true balance means for you, and how to work towards it:

1. Define the areas in your life that feel out of balance

Brainstorm all the “should’s” that have been swimming around in your head.  Don’t censor yourself – write down everything you feel you’ve been neglecting.  And be honest – if you don’t want to write something down it’s a good sign you need to deal with it sooner rather than later.

2. Scrutinize the list for things you don’t really want to be doing

Put a star next to any items you don’t really want to do, but feel like you should do out of guilt, or pressure.  What do you need to do to get that item off your list?

If you’re saying “yes” to avoid what you find uncomfortable, like delegating, asking for help (or just saying “no”) put your energy into learning how to do those things – these are skills that will help you honor your wants and needs long-term.

3. Scrutinize the list for your real wants

Now take a look at the things you’ve been neglecting that you do want to do, and group them together under broader categories.  For example, getting your tax receipts system in order and looking into life insurance could go under “Finances,”  losing 20 pounds and making an appointment to have a dental checkup could go under “Health.” And starting a social media campaign and doing more speaking engagements could go under “Work.”

Aim for as few categories as possible that represent a balanced life to you – fewer categories will be easier to manage and to work into your life. 

4. Define just one change

Take only your top 3-5 categories to work on – the reality is that you won’t have time to do everything you want to do, so it is key to prioritize, be realistic, and forgive yourself for not being Superman or Superwoman.

Then, define ONE major change you can make in each of those areas that would get you closer to what you would like.  And make sure to make the changes/goals measurable – so avoid words like “more” or “less” – define how much more, how much less, and how often.

If the change is difficult, or overwhelming, then get help – whatever it takes to move FORWARD.

6. You need more than time to make changes

In the book “The Power of Full Engagement” (by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz) the authors’ core message is that you need to balance work and stress with recovery – the harder the work and the stress, the harder your body and mind need to recover to renew the energy.  And it makes sense – energy is power – it affects everything. 

So the next time you find yourself thinking that you need to push through a few more hours, push yourself to stop, and renew. And take care of your energy with proper nutrition and sleep.

7. Avoid all or nothing thinking

This type of thinking is rooted in perfectionism – if you can’t work out for a full hour, or 4 times a week, you don’t work out at all. Or if you can’t organize your whole office or closet in one day, you don’t start at all.

Start doing less and work on being OK with that – go to the gym for an intense 10 minutes if that’s all you can really fit in that week; organize just your supplies, or your jeans.

That doesn’t mean you don’t consistently strive to meet the goals you set, but be kind with yourself when you don’t.

Balancing all the demands of life is an imperfect process that takes work and never truly “ends.” But when you define balance by your rules, you set the stage for true productivity and fulfillment.

© 2009 Claudine Motto

Productivity Coach and Professional Organizer Claudine Motto helps home office geniuses, entrepreneurs, and independent professionals get organized so they can reach their goals with less struggle and less stress.  She offers one-on-one coaching and group training programs – please visit http://www.vistalnorte.com or call 561-641-9500 for more information, to sign up for her monthly newsletter, or to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation.

This Halloween, award-winning mixologist Victoria D’Amato-Moran has created three specialty recipes to toast the night. Inspired by Midori’s ghoulishly green coloring, these haunting treats are as festive as they are delicious.

Serve up a harvest themed punch by mixing the seasonal flavors of cranberry and apple juice with Midori and rum. Or opt for sophisticated cocktail recipes like the Midori Green Ghoul and Midori Spider’s Kiss – a festive, vibrant addition to any bar or Halloween table setting.

Midori Halloween Harvest

1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

1 part Dark Rum

1 part Light Rum

2 part White Cranberry Juice

1 part Unfiltered Apple Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

Juice of one lemon

*For a Punch Bowl (32 ounces) use this recipe X’s 8. Add the liquid ingredients and mix well. Top with apple slices, blueberries, and melon balls.

Or mix Midori mixed with ginger liqueur in a glass decorated with black licorice for a touch of style and sophistication.

Midori Green Ghoul

1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

½ part Strega Liqueur or Yellow Chartreuss

½ part Canton Ginger liqueur

Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale

Add first 3 ingredients into a shaker glass, add ice, shake, strain over ice in a collins glass.  Line the inside of the glass with strands of black licorice.  Pour in contents of shaker and fill with ginger beer or ginger ale.

Or serve up a tasty web chocolate, grenadine, vodka and Midori with the Midori Spider’s Kiss cocktail.

Midori’s Spider’s Kiss

1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

1 part SKYY Vodka

Juice from ½ Lemon

Chocolate syrup

Grenadine

With chocolate syrup, draw a web on the inside of the martini glass.  Chill glass.  Shake Midori, SKYY and lemon juice with ice and strain into martini glass. Drizzle grenadine down the side for a blood effect.

About Victoria

Victoria D’Amato Moran, San Francisco native, started in the restaurant business in 1984, working under Jeremiah Tower, at his 4-star restaurant, Stars.

The daughter of a north beach bartender, and directly related to the historic fishing industry at the Fisherman’s Warf, D’Amato-Moran’s family was always cooking, making wine, grappa’s and vinegar, so naturally, she grew up in the kitchen. Finding herself managing a bar for her cousin in North Beach, in 2000, she knew bartending and inventing new drinks would be her art.

When D’Amato-Moran entered and won her first drink competition in 2003, she was hooked. Eight successful competitions later, she continues to thrive on visualizing and creating delicious and beautiful drinks. D’Amato-Moran has been recognized for her work in Santé Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, San Francisco Magazine, and is a bi-monthly cocktail contributor to Un Buona Salute Italian Magazine.

Palm Beach Harvest – Feeding the Hungry since 1998

 

By Jeri Wise

It seems that we are in the worst of times. It’s not news that our economy is not good. Thousands of homes are being foreclosed and people are losing jobs.  It could be your neighbor, one you don’t even know about, who is going without food. Palm Beach Harvest has been feeding hungry people 7 days a week, 365 days a year since 1998, but lately, the need has become frightening.

Thousands of pounds of perfectly good food are thrown away daily (millions yearly) while children and adults go hungry. Here in Palm Beach County, more and more of the population are living at or below the poverty line. Palm Beach Harvest is a non-profit, community-based organization of volunteers who collect and transport surplus food to non-profit distribution centers throughout Palm Beach County. Palm Beach Harvest utilizes volunteers who donate their time to rescuing three million pounds of food per year. At locations where adults and children find food and shelter, Palm Beach Harvest provides nutritious hot meals to those who come to their doors.

Deborah Morgan, Palm Beach Harvest’s Executive Director, offers her insights: “Back in 1998, I decided that something had to be done to help the countless children and adults who go without food right here in our own back yard. Palm Beach Harvest gave me that opportunity. Back then, Palm Beach Harvest was a grass-roots, all-volunteer organization, a chapter of USA Harvest. Since then both our donor base and the number of hungry people have grown tremendously, and we get large-scale donations that must be transported and refrigerated. We need funding for trucks, drivers, gas and refrigerated storage.”

October is National Cookie Month!

To celebrate, Palm Beach Harvest is partnering with Zen Rabbit Baking Company to share

 The Gratitude Cookie™. A deliciously addictive cross between a butter and a sugar cookie, this treat is so named because you’re encouraged to think about something you are grateful for as you’re eating. Order for yourself or as thoughtful gifts for friends or clients, and Zen Rabbit donates 50% of the purchase price to Palm Beach Harvest. Visit www.PalmBeachHarvest.org for details.

We Can Help Each Other!

Palm Beach Harvest is partnering with organizations who are willing to share their profits with us while offering you some great deals! On our website,

www.PalmBeachHarvest.org, you’ll find links to extend your own food and fuel costs while helping Palm Beach Harvest Meet the Need to Feed.

Sign up to receive grocery and gas savings certificates. Spend $100 per month on gas or groceries and receive a Visa gift card worth $25 each month. Over 20 months, you get $500! Visit PalmBeachHarvest.org for details.

Jeri Wise is a freelance writer and desktop publisher. She invites you visit http://www.palmbeachharvest.org/ to learn more about Palm Beach Harvest’s mission to feed the hungry in our community 365 days a year. Working together, we can reduce, even eliminate hunger locally. Yes, we can!

Abruzzo Visits Wellington High School’s Young Democrats

Representative Joseph Abruzzo was the guest speaker at the first Wellington High School Young Democrats meeting of the school year on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009. The lecture was entitled “The Life of a Legislator.” The discussion was nonpartisan and open to all students and faculty.  

Representative Abruzzo discussed the bills that he worked on during his first year as a legislator. In addition, he discussed the bills that he is currently working on.  During the question and answer session, Representative Abruzzo clearly explained the difference between our state and federal government. The subject is normally taught during the senior year in American Government classes, but hearing about it from a state legislator gave the students a fresh perspective on the topic.

Evan Baumel, the founder of the club, stated, “I am doing everything I can to raise student political awareness and I am doing my best to keep our lectures nonpartisan and educational. I believe it is imperative for my peers to exercise their privilege to vote at the age of eighteen. If Representative Abruzzo’s visit influenced even one person to take that privilege seriously then our district will be so much the better for it.”

The officers of the club presented Representative Abruzzo with a “Certificate of Appreciation” for taking the time to speak at Wellington High School.

On the same day, the Wellington High School held its club fair on September 16th, 2009 during the student’s lunch hour. In this photo, Evan Baumel and Samuel Alba man the WHS Young Democrats Club booth as a new member signs up for the club.