Key questions for creating more time and energy

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Editors note: At $150 to $1,000 a month, a personal coach is not going to fit into everyone's budget. For those of us who can't afford the fee, here are key questions from coach Carolyn Fung to get us started — and keep us going — on the road to life balance.

1. What is the price you pay (physically and emotionally) with all the current demands on your life?

2. What would your life look like if you could design it ideally and you felt your life was in perfect balance? (Just a general answer. Have fun with this question and dream.)

3. What have you always wanted to do that you have never made time for?

4. How would you feel if you could have the time you want for your life?

5. Roughly what percentage of your time is spent in each of the following seven areas? a) work/career; b) family; c) social relationships (friends/community); d) health; e) leisure/fun; f) spiritual development; g) errands and chores. Is this how you want to spend your time?

6. From question 5, what would make each area of your life more satisfying or increase the quality? (The answers to this question will suggest possible new priorities for how you choose to spend your time.)
 
7. Everything you tolerate in your life that drains your energy is an obstacle to enjoying your time and creating more time. What can you REMOVE from your life? Removing a number of small things can free up energy and time, create momentum and motivate you to make more changes.

Make a list of what drains your energy, choose 10 items that you would like to begin with, and begin removing them.

For instance, incomplete projects that weigh on your mind; distractions that do not allow you to enjoy your leisure time; things you are putting off; situations with negative people that drain your energy; aspects of your work; errands and chores you dislike; household clutter, volunteer commitments you no longer want.

— Carolyn Fung, personal coach

Fung is a personal coach who resides in Redmond. She can be contacted at carolynfungcoaching@hotmail.com. For more information, view her coach referral page at www.coachfederation.org.

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