{"id":32368,"date":"2019-02-11T14:49:17","date_gmt":"2019-02-11T12:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/?p=32368"},"modified":"2019-02-11T14:54:26","modified_gmt":"2019-02-11T12:54:26","slug":"5-steps-to-finding-your-urban-chi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/5-steps-to-finding-your-urban-chi\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Steps to Finding Your Urban Chi"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWellness is a choice; a way of life; a process; an efficient channelling of energy; an integration of body, mind, and spirit; and the loving acceptance of yourself.\u201d Eudaimonian writer Regina Sara Ryan, explained the pursuit of urban chi perfectly. In order to perform at our best in the office, we need to enjoy a rewarding personal life and that requires balance.\u00a0<\/span>Finding or maintaining a healthy medium between work life and play requires effort, and vigilance. To assist you on your path of harmony attainment we\u2019ve put together some easy swaps. <\/span><\/p>\n

LEARN TO SAY \u201cNO\u201d <\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Since society is slowly coming to appreciate the importance of self-care, we are realising that identifying what we can do is just as important as accepting what we cannot do, as well as communicating what we are not willing to do. This requires that you give up on perfectionism and learn to be discerning.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the workplace, it sounds like telling your superior that you cannot take on any more assignments because your workload is exhausted. Though it seems scary, and your supervisor might not like hearing \u2018no\u2019 at first, doing your best at what you can handle works to your company\u2019s favour. When you\u2019re spread thin, you\u2019ll do a sub-par job and that will definitely disappoint your senior more than if they\u2019d just delegated to someone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

MANAGE YOUR TIME <\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Adrenalin junkies tend to look for a fix wherever they can find it. You might not think you fall into this category, but if you\u2019re putting off work until the dreaded deadline is looming over your head, you\u2019re guilty as charged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Effective time management is crucial to your success in the office. If you\u2019ve committed to a deadline, you need to follow-through otherwise your integrity is called into question. No one will care that you\u2019ve come in early and left late all week, to finish a proposal that should\u2019ve been submitted days ago. It\u2019ll be difficult for your colleagues to believe you when you commit to another deadline.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you accept or decline a work assignment, you need to organise your schedule appropriately. The added bonus is that you\u2019ll make it to your yoga class on time.<\/span><\/p>\n

MANAGE YOUR STRESS <\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Though part of achieving stress management requires that you learn to manage your time well, there are other contributing factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure you don\u2019t pull your hair out because of the demands of the job, Robert Brooks, a professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, believes phone notifications stir your subcons<\/span>cious with an undercurrent of stress. This is<\/span> why the co-author of <\/span>\u2018The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life\u2019<\/span><\/i> suggests that we don\u2019t text during our children\u2019s sports matches or when we\u2019re at dinner with friends. Learning to compartmentalise your life will train your mind to respond appropriately to the environments you are in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go on a cyber-fast, adopt a tech-free after 6pm rule, go for a barefoot walk in your garden, do <\/span>yoga<\/span><\/a>. Whatever helps you unwind is something you should do 3 – 5 times a week to ensure you minimise your stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

PROTECT YOUR ENERGY <\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Time-wasting activities and people tend to drain our energy. Having done something for a few hours with nothing to show for it is not only frustrating but demoralising. Don\u2019t consider it selfish to end friendships that suck you dry instead of doing their part to fill you up. Your friends and family don\u2019t need to complete you, but if all their doing is exhausting you, there will be no energy left for you to work and play with. <\/span><\/p>\n

Streamline your life like you would your home. It\u2019s difficult to have a clear mind with physical, mental and emotional clutter. <\/span><\/p>\n

PLAN YOUR RETIREMENT <\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Finding your urban chi definitely requires that you live in the moment; when you\u2019re committed to the present you give it all your best efforts. But you shouldn\u2019t feel bad for working with the future in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to become demotivated if you feel your efforts are to no end. So plan your retirement, fantasise about whether you\u2019ll use that time to travel the world or indulge your passion. When you know that your time for rest is coming, and that it is right at the horizon, you\u2019ll be excited to work to deserve that rest. It is similar to how runners tend to push harder in their final 100 meters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inject some enthusiasm into your life by reminding yourself why you\u2019re working.<\/span><\/p>\n

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS HELP?<\/b><\/em><\/h1>\n

Unhappy employees disrupt a company\u2019s bottom line. If your staff aren\u2019t at their best, they certainly won\u2019t perform at their best. Employers need to assume part of that responsibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Show that you care for the people contributing to the success of your business by organising office outings, offering child\/day care services for employees with kids or subsidised gym memberships and exercise access.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be amazed at how learning feeds the mind, keeping those brain muscles fit and strong. Complement that re-skilling and up-skilling with fair vacation days and out-of-office lunches so there is a balance between work and play.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself first. If you want to be an effective employee to your employers, and an equally supportive individual to your loved ones, you need to learn to live a balanced life. It will be something you have to work at every single day, but you will enjoy a fuller life because of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5 Benefits of Having an Inspirational Work Space at Home<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n