Western companies are paying more and more attention to the concept of “work-life balance”: the topic is actively discussed in the media, special sections are being created in Internet resources and even websites. Media and employers are gradually coming to the question of the balance between work and personal life, and this is definitely the right step.

What is “work-life balance”

The term “work-life balance” appeared in the late 80s. The Cambridge Online Dictionary explains it as the ratio of time spent working to the time you love: yourself, family, friends, leisure.

The feeling of balance or harmony is exclusively individual for each person, which, moreover, changes more than once throughout life. But despite all the individuality, there is one commonality: everyone should strive for such a vital balance.

Why the balance is upset

The imbalance manifests itself in different ways: mistakes, strained relationships with colleagues, professional burnout, insomnia, a constant feeling of discomfort, lack of strength, energy, time for oneself, family, health, sports, hobbies. If you are familiar with these feelings, then you know firsthand about the root causes of imbalance.

• Processing

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) analyzed data by country on the number of hours worked per year and the degree of “life satisfaction”. And they came to the conclusion that the balance largely depends on the number of hours spent at work. Overwork endangers the safety of people, affects their health, increases stress levels and has an extremely short-term effect.

• Lack of achievement and enjoyment

The feeling of harmony and balance in life is impossible as such if there are no achievements (desired success in some area) and pleasures (pleasure from something) at the same time in life. Trying to live on only one side of the coin does not lead to a complete sense of happiness. English billionaire Richard Branson speaks about the place of his beloved work in life:

“A person spends at work up to 80% of his time, so it is very important to find a job that you will be truly passionate about. And if everyday work is boring and boring for you, it is better to consider a career change. “

• Career sacrifices

Balance must be maintained at all times

1. Take on no more than eight roles

Throughout life, we play various social roles: subordinate, leader, spouse, parent, energetic tennis player, etc. It has been calculated that if a person plays less than eight social roles, his life is under control. Exceeding this number leads to an imbalance.

How many roles do you currently play in a theater named after yourself?

2. Delegate, simplify and say goodbye

Do only what is important. Delegate the rest, simplify or even say goodbye to tasks and plans.

Workaholism is often a blind belief that only hard work can be successful and wealthy. But often such a postulate turns into “drug addiction”, work for the sake of work, inability to delegate, disorganization.

3. Set boundaries and follow a schedule

Keep track of how many hours you spend on work (per week or month, not per day). Remember that this also includes the time you spent worrying or thinking about work-life balance. All of this is one of the hallmarks of work stress.

Spend your way home from work just to tune in to your personal life. That is, work should be left at work and not brought into the house.

4. Stick to the perfect productivity formula
• Practice total immersion. If the difficulty of the task greatly exceeds your skill, this is an area of stress. If you can do much more than you need to do, this is the area of boredom. By balancing stress and boredom, you can completely immerse yourself in work and not be distracted by irritations.
• Beware of false breaks, useless internet surfing. Breaks are best planned and adhered to.
• Talk about excessive demands to the management, do not hesitate.
5. Hobbies and sports

Stress at work affects mental health. Reduce stress levels through exercise, relaxation, hobbies, positive rituals – activities for the body and mind.

6. Make time for loved ones

Work and rest, according to the ideas of the English billionaire Richard Branson, is always necessary in full force:

“If you are working hard on your career, this does not mean that the rest of the time you cannot live to the fullest. Make time with loved ones a priority. Add it to your work calendar the same way you would add a meeting. Come on, relax.”

Determine what is success for you, what is pleasure for you, how to get the support of your family and not lose yourself – and move only in these directions.

The post How to Maintain a Work-life Balance appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

People from different countries travel to the United States to join the army and serve there valiantly. Let’s say there is one kid living for himself, who entered college as a programmer, worked somewhere, and then decided to join the army and serve in the US armed forces with pleasure. Mom is shocked, but he knows that the army is not only patriotism and campaigns with weapons, it is a stable job and very good benefits. Nevertheless, many leave military positions to start civilian life. Some people feel uncomfortable returning to their usual life, but this is normal. When you change your usual place of everyday life, everything seems scary, repulsive and questionable. However, it should be remembered that confidence is the main key to professional success! Considering the experience that you’ve gained in the service. Most people are confused because from now on there are so many roads open to them that they can get lost! And for them, finding a dream job becomes a goal. However, where do you start? What to do? Michael Podesto, a founder of Find My Profession, will help find the one and only job for those looking to start a fresh start. The invaluable attention to the details of your biography, as well as taking into account your past, experience and acquired skills, all this must be taken into account by professional military resume writers, because with a perfectly crafted resume your real path begins! Many people are puzzled by the complexity and almost impracticability of such a task, because the resume should have a presentable and professional look, but experts will help you find yourself in a crowd of strangers.

Who Goes to Serve in the Army?

Absolutely all nationalities. Recruiting offices operate in the most popular locations, even New York’s Times Square. Immigrants need to have a green card or citizenship. You also need to be young and healthy, the extreme age of a conscript is 35 years.

A mother and her son part for a short time, for only four months. He leaves for a special camp to undergo training as a fighter. After that he can stay, choose a direction and continue the service. Or, more correctly, work.

The salary is stable; the amount depends on the rank. It is not customary to ask about specific amounts here, but, as they say, the rank and file are given a little, but the generals earn a lot.

Not only the military are recruited into the army. The official website of the US military has vacancies for scientists, engineers, IT specialists, mathematicians, doctors and even musicians.

Our guy was attracted by the fact that the army was going to pay for his college tuition. There is, of course, one condition: you need to work a certain amount of time in the military, as the armed forces are called here. Going to the military in the United States means getting a job in a huge corporation with stable jobs and a very good social package!

Army Pays for Housing

This house may have a dining room, for example, $ 300 is allocated for meals in its part. If he does not want to eat there, this amount will be given in money. If a guy is married and has two small children, then he and his family can live for free in a military town, in his house. And if they wanted to live outside it, then a certain amount would be allocated from the place of work, for which they can rent an apartment. Also, this amount can be used to pay off the mortgage. Moreover, for the military, contracts for the purchase of housing are provided on the most favorable terms. Also from the place of work they help with kindergartens and health insurance for employees.

Program for Foreigners

During the presidency of Barack Obama, a special program worked, thanks to which immigrants, who were speakers of the languages ​​necessary for the army, very quickly received citizenship. However, the MAVNI program was closed. Moreover, foreigners who did not pass the screening were unexpectedly fired. Many American media wrote about how immigrants from China, Turkey, Iran, after a few years, remained in limbo.

And all the same, foreigners replenish active military units and reserve programs. Also, according to the website of the army, vacancies are available for them for civilian specialists. On their vacation, the military cannot go wherever they want, some countries are closed to the American military. They often move, travel around the country and even – the world. If a person chooses a military profession, then he can participate in hostilities. Wounds and deaths are not excluded.

Everyone, even specialists who work not in the active army, but in the reserve, must also run in the morning and pass the standards. This, of course, scares off civilian specialists, doctors, for example.

But after the army, military and non-military veterans will receive honor and respect. From good pensions, health insurance, government housing assistance programs, to discounts in stores and respect from others. There are, of course, veterans who did not take place after their service life, but there are a lot of assistance programs in the United States, this can be seen even by civilians who are not related to the army.

The post What You Need to Know About the US Army appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

We have been taught all our lives that in order for us to be successful and happy we must:

• Study hard to
• Get good grades, so we can
• Get a good job and
• Make lots of money, so we will
• Become Successful, then
• Retire and relax

How many of you are now discovering that this is a huge lie, and, in truth, has led to a life of being busy instead of productive, frustrated instead of successful, and unfulfilled instead of happy?

I know I did, and I hear it expressed everyday from people I know and people I meet. Let me be clear, I am not saying that we shouldn’t study diligently and endeavor to make good grades, or that there is anything wrong with earning a lot of money, being successful, and eventually retiring.  But, if we are simply blindly and furiously chasing after grades, money, success, and material things we think will keep us happy once we stop working, we are in for a huge disappointment.  This is the huge lie that so many buy in to, only to end up feeling empty and as though there life has or has had no real meaning or purpose.

So, if this is a huge lie, what is the truth? I believe that the truth is this:

• God’s love for us is extravagant and immeasurable. And,
• God created each one of us in His image. And,
• God desires to have a close intimate relationship with us, and
• He has a plan and purpose for our lives;
• To share and demonstrate his love by loving and serving others. And, in addition,
• God created all things, including work and wealth. And,
• Work and our careers are an opportunity to both experience God’s love and to love and serve others, and when we are able to make this paradigm shift (from the huge lie to the wonderful truth),
• Our work and careers will have new and eternal meaning and purpose, and
• We will begin to look at our work, our families, and are lives in a whole new, exciting, and energized way!

So how might this look practically?  Jon Gordon, speaker, consultant and best selling author offer these five tips to being happier at work (comments in italics added):

Monday-

Focus on “Get to” instead of “Have to” – While driving to work focus on what you “get to” do instead of what you “have to” do. With gratitude realize that you don’t have to do anything. You get to go to a job while so many are unemployed. Gratitude floods your body and brain with emotions that uplift you and energize you rather than stress hormones that drain you.

Plus, remember you are blessed to be able to have the opportunity serve and be a blessing to all those you come into contact with during your day. God loves it when we live an others centered life, he views our commitment to demonstrate his love to others as an act of worship.

Tuesday-

Don’t Expect your Boss, Co-workers and Customers to Make you Happy – Realize that happiness is an inside job. Our happiness has less to do with forces outside of us and more to do with what’s inside of us. The way we think about work, feel about work and approach our work influences our happiness at work. For instance, just by making yourself smile you produce more serotonin in the brain-which makes you feel happier. You’ll also be happier when you focus on what you are giving instead of what you are getting.

Only Jesus truly satisfies; let him come alive in your heart and show you how living for his glory will bring true joy into your life. Live by the spirit, and produce fruit!

Wednesday-

Don’t Seek Happiness – Ironically if you want to be happier don’t seek happiness. Instead share your strengths and decide to work with passion and purpose and happiness will find you. The research shows that people are most energized when they are using their strengths for a bigger purpose beyond themselves. Whatever your job, decide to bring passion to it and find purpose in it. I’ve met bus drivers, mortgage brokers, janitors and fast-food employees who are more passionate about their jobs and happier than some professional athletes making millions of dollars. Every job will get mundane and “old” if you let it but purpose and passion keep it fresh and make you happier.

If we are willing God can use us no matter where or what we are doing.  God is a master gardener, and if we allow him, he will equip and enable us to bloom where we are planted!

Thursday-

Focus on Excellence instead of Success – When you focus on success you can easily fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, looking over your shoulder, feeling envious, playing office politics, and competing against coworkers instead of collaborating. However, when you focus on excellence you measure yourself against your own growth and potential. You strive to be the best you can be. You simply focus on getting better every day and this makes work more meaningful and rewarding.

God is the ultimate designer, creator, engineer, and manufacture, resource manager, and relationship builder.  He is a God of excellence; just take a look around at his creation. Follow his example by using your unique gifting to all you do well…let god take care of the rest!

Friday-

Celebrate Together – While we shouldn’t depend on others to make us happy, by building a positive team or support group at work we will be happier. So instead of expecting others to make you happy, you proactively create the positive relationships that enhance your engagement, productivity and happiness. One great way to do this to huddle with your team/group at the end of the week and have each person share their accomplishments, victories, and great moments of the week. This will produce great feelings on Friday that inspire you and your team to come back to work and make a difference on Monday.

God is a God of relationship; he wants to know each of us intimately, and he wants all of his children to enjoy fellowship with one another, sharing our lives, praying for one another, encouraging one another, exhorting one another, and lifting our hearts up in praise!

What makes you happier at work? Share your thoughts…and have a happy week at home and at work.

The post 5 Tips For A Happier Work Day appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

The following is from Matthew 25:31-40.  Jesus is teaching, and as he often does, he is doing so by using parables.  This passage is from the parable of the sheep and the goats.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

In December of 2005 I was in Naples, Florida enjoying a golf trip with a group of friends.  We would rise early, go on a prayer and fellowship walk on the beach, grab breakfast, go play golf, grab dinner, then just hang out, fellowship, and wait for the next day to get up and do the same thing all over again.  it was a great trip!

But that is not not what I remember most about that trip.  If you recall, on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina pushed ashore near New Orleans. We know now that Hurricane Katrina is the costliest  natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States.  Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall. At least 1,836 people died in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion nearly triple the damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.  The most significant number of deaths occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, which flooded as the levee system catastrophically failed, in many cases hours after the storm had moved inland. Eventually 80% of the city and large tracts of neighboring parishes became flooded, and the flood waters lingered for weeks.  I am sure many of us still have mental pictures in our mind of the destruction and of the tens of thousands of people wandering the streets after their homes had been destroyed or literally washed away.

Now flash forward to December of 2005.  I am in Naples Florida, staying in a nice condo, walking on the beach each morning, not worrying about my next meal, playing golf, and enjoying all the comforts and pleasures that Naples.  I wasn’t even thinking about Hurricane Katrina or the people of New Orleans and coastal areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.  That is until one morning on one of our prayer walks.

That particular morning God decide to speak to in a profound an life changing way.  As we walked along the beach, and as gazed west across the Gulf of Mexico toward New Orleans, God brought the circumstances there to mind and I began to have this dialog with Him.  I started to question why I was so fortunate to be where I was both literally (very comfortable in Naples) and metaphorically (healthy, wealthy, and with no real worries in life).  Why was I where I was, while those in New Orleans had lost everything (homes,belongings, and even loved ones) and were wandering the streets or living in make shift shelters not knowing what their future was.  Why am I blessed with plenty while others are not, and why am I not suffering great loss and hardship, while others are?  There was no good, reasonable answer. But, as I wrestled with God about this, he led me to the scripture above.  And while the scripture did not answer the question, (I have determined that I will never know the answer to the question) it did give me very clear direction about what I am to do because I am fortunate to be blessed by the God of the universe.

I knew from that day forward that one of my callings in life and one of the gifts God has blessed me with is to give; give of my finances, my time, and my talents to help those less fortunate.

It was really powerful too, because it was right at Christmas time and God spoke to me and said “It is my son Jesus’ birthday. Now you know what he wants most for his birthday; he told you in the words he spoke in that passage…“Truly I tell you, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me.”

I have never felt so much freedom, joy, peace and happiness as when I am serving and giving to others.  I encourage you to consider my story and the words of Jesus this Christmas, and give Jesus the the gift he most desires!  I know that, when you do, you will be Happy at Work and in Life!

The post Wondering What to Give Jesus for His Birthday? appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

Having hope and offering hope to others  is perhaps the single most important key to experiencing true happiness.  I recently found a terrific description of hope written by James Goll of the Encounters Network, and published by the The Converging Zone Network.  I know you will be encouraged, as I was by Mr. Goll’s message of hope…it’s foundations, it’s benefits, and understanding how to obtain it !

Hope Ambassadors…

Theme verse: I Corinthians 13:13a (NASB): ”But now faith, hope, love, abide these three…”

In a time of great uncertainty, it is a necessity that we be people of hope. In recent years, we have had a good deal of teaching on faith and some on love, but the missing commodity in the Church is an understanding of HOPE.

It behooves us to look to the Lord in these days and call forth solutions to life’s problems. We must focus our gaze, not on the revival of evil, but we must set our gaze up higher and be a prophetic people with answers for today’s dilemmas. It is time to be Hope Ambassadors.

In my own life, I tend to be a parabolic prophetic person. As most of you know, I have gone through a severe “Job-like season” in the last decade of my life and ministry. I have been grappling with difficult things and complex questions. This has forced me to go back to the foundational bedrock of my faith. I declare that God is good all the time and that all things work together for good. Because these two foundational truths are laid firm in my life, I believe that the greatest level of purpose and impact is yet to come.

As I have found it necessary in my own life, so I believe it is necessary in many lives. It is time for teaching on good mental health in the Body of Christ! Yes, the world and the Church are both waiting for Ambassadors of Hope!

Definition of Terms:

Webster’s Dictionary states that “hope” means to cherish a desire with expectation of fulfillment.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Greek Words states that “hope” is a favorable and confident expectation, the happy anticipation of good.

Scriptural Foundations of Hope:

Ephesians 6:17 states as a vital part of the full armor of God, we are to put on the helmet of salvation.

I Thessalonians 5:8 gives us a commentary on this verse and tells us this is the helmet of the “hope of salvation.”

The Roman helmet that Paul the apostle makes reference to covered the ears and even the front of the forehead (or the mind). We are to filter what we hear through a positive expectation of good and thus be able to think on whatsoever things are true, honorable, right, pure, of a good report and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). As a man thinks so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Therefore, it is imperative that we put on our HELMET OF HOPE.

Two Pictures of Hope:

Hebrews 6:17-20 (NASB) In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfastand one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hope therefore is:

1. A place of refuge for mankind likened unto the Old Testament cities of refuge where people could flee and take hold of the “horns of the altar.”

2. An anchor of the soul – the mind, the will and the emotions.

A ship passes its anchor through the unstable element of water to the stable element of the Rock below. The world in which we live is like the water – unstable, impermanent, insecure, ever-changing and tossed around in its form. But hope in Christ Jesus is an anchor that passes out of eternity into time and fastens us to our foundation of bedrock below – to the Rock of Ages.

Hope is a Person!

Colossians 1:27 (NASB) …to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Titus 2:13 (NASB) …looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

The Benefits of Hope:

Romans 8:24-25 (NASB) For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

We are saved by hope. We do not quit. We persevere because we are convinced by a greater reality than our temporary surroundings!

Romans 15:13 (NASB) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through faith, the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to abound in the amazing power of hope.

Colossians 1:27 says when you have “Christ in you” you have the hope of glory – a sure expectation of unending ages of glory in the presence of God.

Ephesians 2:12 (NASB) …remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

The condition of the lost: without God, without Christ, and without hope.

Ephesians 1:17-19 says we can be filled with the hope of His calling in Christ Jesus. You are a person of destiny. Be filled with the positive expectation of good in your life. Something good is just about to happen!

Ways to Obtain Hope:

Romans 15:4 (NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Yes, through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we have great hope! Learn from our forefathers in the faith, and let hope arise!

Lamentations 3:21-24 (NASB) This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”

Right now, recall the history of the Lord in your life. Declare the testimony of His goodness over your own life and that of your family. Recall. Remember. Declare the truth that He has never left you or forsaken you. Great is His faithfulness!

The post You Can Be a Hope Ambassador! appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

Being vulnerable with those close to you and with God is critical to having joy in our lives and being happy in life and at work.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;  don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;  he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.  Run to God!  Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!  (Proverbs 3:5-8  The Message)

I discovered this video presentation that helps us practically understand why God’s word encourages us to open up our lives at a depth we not accustom to, to share our lives more intimately than the world tells us we should, and be vulnerable with our lives with those we love and care for, including our Heavenly Father.  I hope you find it helpful.

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“He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror but as One whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty. No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla. God had come near . . . for you. Only if we let Him in can He pull us out.” (Max Lucado, ‘God Came Near’)

Jesus was born into a messy world and brought grace, hope, life, peace, and joy to those who dared to follow him. Is your world messy? This Christmas season consider, as the shepherds did, seeking and following Jesus; He offers the same grace, hope, life, peace, and joy to you today!

The post The Christmas Story; God’s Messy Plan appeared first on Happy Life and Work.

I resonated with this presentation by Brene’ Browne. I have and still do wrestle with believing that God is bigger than some of my problems and challenges I know God’s word is very clear that God is sovereign and in complete control. But, when I am facing real big, scary life issues, I can struggle with being patient, trusting God fully, trying to wrestle control away from him, and being content during these times of difficulty. I can struggle seeing and understanding that even in these trials God has a plan; a great and perfect plan to teach me, grow me, care for me, provide for me, protect me, and give me a future with his love, peace, hope, and joy.

“This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11 The Message)

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