Writers 
Making Time for What Really Matters
It is crucial to avoid getting caught in the trap of all work and no play. Often when our dream is big, or it has been a part of us for a very long time, we become consumed by it. We trick ourselves into believing that sacrificing our relationships and family time in order to achieve our goals will pay off in the long run– but sadly, this is rarely true.
Instead, keeping a healthy balance between work and play automatically helps us feel energetic and enthusiastic, therefore we are less stressed, and therefore our focus becomes sharper and we get more done in less time.
Think about it this way: whatever you focus on the most expands, and whatever you turn your focus away from shrivels and dies.
That may be the reason you don’t feel like you have achieved the success you desire; because you have not given your career path the focus it deserves. Likewise, if your relationships are lacking, or you struggle with financial strain, or your health and fitness leaves something to be desired. It works the same in all areas of your life.
Everything needs nurturing to help it grow.
So, believing that it won’t matter if you neglect the other areas of your life while you are actively pursuing success is a grave mistake.
If you make a conscious effort to see all aspects of your life as an INVESTMENT in your productivity, you will reap great rewards. What do I mean by investment?
The time you take to care for yourself, build strong relationships with your family and friends, and recharge your mental and physical batteries will DIRECTLY affect your ability to succeed at anything else in life. Not only will you feel happier and more centered on a daily basis, you won’t grow to resent your passion because it sucks the life out of you.
You will accomplish more in less time with short, focused bursts of activity, rather than depleting your energy with longer, watered-down work sessions.
Take it from someone who learned the hard way: less is more. Be reasonable about the amount of time you devote to your passions, and leave room for your other priorities. You’ will enjoy the journey to success much more. Show Me the Money.
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY! Just as happiness is not about money, neither is success about money. Do yourself a favor and:
1. Don’t choose your passion because of the money it can bring you.
2. Don’t overwork and exhaust yourself in an effort to earn more money.
3. Don’t focus on what you stand to gain from sharing your passion with the world.
Such requests may sound counterproductive since abundant financial rewards are undoubtedly one indication of success.
Read that last sentence again, especially the part that reads, abundant financial rewards are undoubtedly ONE INDICATION of success.”
Did you get that? Money does not guarantee success, but is rather a side-effect of success (and a rather welcome one, at that). The reason I don’t want you to focus on the money angle is because it will dilute your focus. You begin worrying about what you will “get” rather than what you can contribute to others. That might not seem like a big deal, but it is.
There is an old saying that everything you do is infused with your energy. We might clarify that to say everything you do is infused with the QUALITY of your energy.
Think about this for a moment and you’ll realize the truth of such a statement.
Have you ever done a task out of sheer obligation but your heart wasn’t in it? Perhaps you wrote a report for school, or completed a project at work, or even attended an event because your spouse wanted to go but you had zero interest in it.
