NEED A BREAK? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

The weekend, in addition to gaining a few kilos due to an over abundance of Whittakers  (school fundraisers have a lot to answer for), I've stayed in.

Our lives are set for some pretty dramatic change over the coming months. It is there, looming on the horizon like some vasty grey storm cloud and although it brings the promise of great excitement, now is the time to batten down the hatches.

It has been almost exactly like a 'staycation' except in absolutely no way at all. Cupboards were unpacked. Stuff went to charity. More cupboards were unpacked...more stuff went to charity. We've arrived in a good place. That's to say we no longer have multiple editions of Womens Weekly, an unused corn toaster and more sets of cards than your average Casino.

I feel confident. Self-assured. Powerful. I am woman. I am all things!

Hold me.

Seriously. Someone hold me. 

My Au Pair departs tomorrow leaving me looking down the barrel of two (.75) children to juggle with no escape, a husband about to change jobs and no looming summer holiday to keep me sane. Clearly this is why reality TV is considered a basic human right.

Added to this is the fact I am in my last week of work before I depart on Maternity Leave. I adore my job. I love my team. I am not sure how I feel about this new phase. Experience tells me that this too shall pass, but in the face of so much change all at once, it is time to refocus.

Because my role often involves long hours, when I am home I try to be as present as possible, this means limiting the time I spend on technology.

Since time is a finite resource, squeezing even five minutes of tranquility into your day can make all the difference.

During the week I leverage my commute, which ranges from reasonable to downright outrageous. I set aside the mornings for mindfulness, meditation or pod-casts with the homeward journey dedicated to work calls.

I find this approach sets me up for the day ahead. Whether it prepares my mind for a difficult conversation, structures my thinking for a complex meeting or sets an intention for how I want the day to go.

Podcasts are a phenomenon in their own right, one I have really only tuned in to over the past few months. So often these days I find myself caught up in the whirlwind of 'Do It' and 'Now', and forget to come up for air.

The older I get the less I seem to know and continual learning and curiosity have to be two values I prize highly.

So if, like me, you could use a break - here are a few recommendations I have to inspire the mind and nourish the soul:

Buddhify

Mindfulness for the modern life.

Buddhify makes me smile. Practical, playful and beautifully designed - the rainbow interface brightens even the darkest day, while the 'Wheel of Fortune' layout injects an element of fun. I value Buddhify for its variety - there are meditations on everything from Work Breaks to Difficult Emotions - and its quality, the average length of a meditation is about 6 minutes. Even during my busiest days I can spare 6 minutes.

The only downside is that it costs around NZD$7 to purchase.

Buddhify is available for both apple and android devices.  

Headspace

Described as a gym membership for your mind Headspace is a great option for people looking to start out their mindfulness journey. The free section of Headspace provides 100 minutes of mindfulness, hosted by your tour guide Andy. The intention is for you to progress through levels, cultivating a habit of mindfulness, however the app is flexible enough to be used whenever you have 10 minutes to spare. 

Headspace offers both free and paid options, the later of which offers access to some fairly extensive resources.

Headspace is available for both apple and android devices. 

PODCASTS

Until fairly recently, I thought a Podcast was an inconvenient App I couldn't remove from my apple interface. How wrong I was. For those in the know, the world of podcasting is as vast as its potential is endless. 

If you are starting your journey here is what I have been listening to lately: 

Planted with Light - by Kate Robinson

In addition to being one of my favourite wedding photographers (honestly, sister makes want to get married again just for the photos), Kate's podcasts offer listeners inspiration and stories to motivate you both at life and at work with a distinctly New Zealand flavour. Kate also shares her personal experiences of being a new mother, and her journey in juggling a successful business and family life in a way that is both relatable and refreshing. 

Make It Happen - with Michelle McCullough

Regardless of the topic, the savvy business focused podcast of Michelle McCullough never ceases to light my entrepreneurial fire. Episodes are polished and informative and not too American centric for a New Zealand listener. Worth listening in to for great tips on strategy, marketing and brand knowledge. 

TED Talks - Ideas Worth Spreading

And then there was TED, a movement that needs no introduction although just in case...TED is a not for profit / non-partisan movement, devoted to spreading ideas usually in the form of short, powerful talks. 

My only advice is to encourage you to get online, check it out. Enjoy!

Have you found this post useful? 

What do you use? I would love for you to share your thoughts. 

As a closing note, the opinions of these apps are mine alone. I have not received any compensation or benefit from this post.

WHY BEING YOU IS LIFE CHANGING

Hey you!

Yes you, right there.

Has anyone ever told you that you are incredible? One of a kind. In the entire future of this universe there will never be anyone else like you. There has never been anyone exactly like you since human life began.

That is why it is so important to be yourself.

So much of our precious time and energy can get caught up in comparing our own lives, our own selves to those around us that we forget that it is our differences, not our similarities that make us great.

There can only ever (EVER) be one you.

In creating Work Wife Balance - I want to provide a platform where we you can be your authentic self. I truly cross-my-heart believe you are worth it.

My dream is for this blog to be a place where real life is celebrated. Not just the pretty stuff, but the frazzled mornings, messy kitchens, crazy dreams and hard-fought victories.

Because guess what?

There is no single answer for success. No one solution. No secret you have been missing out on that has the potential to improve your life beyond measure.

What I do know is this.

The best project you will ever work on is YOU!

I want to share with you an open and honest account about what makes my life easier, at home and at work, and I want to hear what makes your lives easier too.

All of us were born with the power to change our own behaviour. To be what we aspire to be, what we hoped to be, what we want to be. No one else has this power. When we can give the best to ourselves, we give the best to our families, to our friends, to our lives and to our careers.

Today I was speaking with a friend and work colleague of mine who is facing some pretty big decisions. As I listened to her concerns, her fears and excitement it was clear that the only thing holding her back was herself.
What if she wasn't good enough? What if someone else was better?
She completely overlooked the fact that she was the reason the opportunity existed in the first place.

Because being you is life changing.

I love this quote by Karim Seddiki - and I would love to hear your stories, ideas or desires for what can be shared on this blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

WORK WIFE BALANCE

Why hello there and welcome to Work Wife Balance. 

My name is Jacq - In addition to being a wife and a mother I also work full-time. Given that being a parent and a spouse is a full-time job in its own right, life can get a trifle frantic. 

When I tell people about my job the first question they ask me is "how do you do it all?

I don't. 

No one does, at least no one I know personally and I know a lot of hugely successful people. 

If you have ever: 
a) Ironed the collar of a work shirt with your hair straightener; 
b) Wound the clock forward, closed the curtains and sent the kids to bed early so you can drink wine; 
c) Cried when Tescoes announced they would no longer ship internationally; 
d) Are about to try any of the above (with the exception of c...it was a dark day) 

Then you've come to the right place. 

Work Wife Balance is about creating a place to share things to make people's working lives easier. Celebrating the chaos. No one's life is as sparkly or clean as it is on their blog. Honest. #zoomout. 

I have made a profession out of helping people into companies, and helping companies with their people. It's something I am good at. Really good at. 

However you have landed here, and for whatever reason I hope you find something that makes your life a little better than when you arrived. 

Jacq

Photo Credit - bloglovin