Get a Life! summary

How many people do you know who are completely in love with their job? Probably not that many.

Since working is how we make a living, we don’t always have the option of waiting for the perfect job to find us. As a result, some people end up in jobs that leave them less than satisfied. Fortunately, though, it is possible to inject some level of satisfaction into a less-than-perfect job.

Whether we’re juggling our responsibilities as parents, or on a mission to meet quarterly targets at work, one factor that always gets in the way of achieving work-life balance is time. There never seems to be enough of it, and many of us aren’t that good at managing the little we have.

No one wants to spend more hours at work or lose sleep trying to finish their chores – it doesn’t have to come to that. It is possible to cross off everything on our to-do lists in the time available.

Imagine this: after years of looking, you finally land your dream job. It’s challenging and exciting, the salary’s great, and your colleagues are fun and friendly team players.

But, not everything is perfect. Going home fills you with dread because your relationship with your partner is strained or, conversely, you’re single, which you find frustrating and lonely. And so, in the end, the joy you get from your job won’t mean much once you’re off the clock.

Have you ever heard the term “empty calories?” It refers to food that makes you full and gives you an energy boost, but which doesn’t actually provide your body with the nutrients it needs. If you’re stuck for an example, consider your favorite junk food – there’s a good chance that whatever it is fits this descriptor.

If all you eat is junk food, you may feel full, but you'll never be nourished. Nourishment isn't about how much you eat, it's about what you eat. The same is true of time spent with family and friends. You can spend all the time in the world with them, but if you don't do it in the right way, or with the right people, you'll still feel drained and frustrated afterward.

If you’ve spent any amount of time flipping through televisions channels, you’ll know that there are countless shows dedicated to perfect homes. People view multiple properties, consult design experts, and invest their time and money in search of the right home.

Having a production crew while house hunting is out of reach for most of us, but like the people on these shows, we should put some thought into our homes because they, in fact, have an effect on our well-being.

There’s no denying that technology has given us some great perks. We can look up information in seconds, and pause and rewind live television, which is incredible for anyone who grew up rushing to get back to their program before the end of an ad break! Many of our devices also allow us to stay in touch with friends, family, and everyone in between.

As wonderful as all this is, though, there are downsides to some of these tech advancements.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Work commitments, coordinating the kids’ schedules, and obligations to friends and partners can make finding a moment to yourself seem impossible. But making time for yourself is exactly what you need to do if you want to avoid stretching yourself too thin.

The key message here is: Taking the time to look after your mind and body improves your ability to handle the stresses of life.