Do It When You Can.

Have you changed any rules lately? I have. Lots, in fact.But there is one I've changed that has helped my well-being and contentment immeasurably. It's simple enough and it's this:

Do it when you can.

(So that when you can't it's not a tragedy.)

I try to apply it liberally in life these days. And I'm feeling the difference in:

• more motivation to do things - it's like flipping a switch on your energy levels
• less stress when the day doesn't go as planned
• more flexibility in how we spend time - both alone and as a family
• I don't feel like a failure so much when I can't (or don't) get things done
• understanding that if I'm doing one thing, that means I can't possibly be doing another - and learning to be OK with that

It's the life equivalent of eating your broccoli first, so you can savour the taste of your sweet potato bake later, feeling virtuous at the same time. Ha!Another way of looking at it - for each part of your life (kids, partner, alone time, work, housework, relaxation, exercise, spirituality) you have a bank account. Spending time doing the things that need doing in each of these areas means you are increasing the balance in that particular account. During the inevitable times when you can't do the things that you would like to do, you have a healthy balance from which to draw down, meaning you won't leave any area of your life in the red.And the beauty of this is you can apply it to every aspect of your day-to-day life:

1. Kids: Play, and I mean really play with them when you can, because there will be times when you simply can't. (See Housework.) You are then establishing a bank of time and trust with them, so they understand when you need to do other things, they're not being punished.
2. Housework: Sweep the floors/clean the toilet/dust/iron when you can, so that if you miss a day (or week) because of life, it won't be disgusting.
3. Exercise: Go for a run when you can, because tomorrow it may be raining, or your other half may be working late and you can't. Then you'll wish you'd gone yesterday.
4. Romance: Do romance when you can, because there will be times that it must inevitably fall down your priority list. (Young children, anyone?) But you need to ensure that doesn't happen permanently.
5. Solitude: Spend time alone, recharging, when you can because there will be many times (see all of the above) where it's simply impossible to do. You can establish an account for yourself too, you know.
6. Friends and Family: If you're invited for a coffee or to a family function and can make it, then do, because there will be many times that you can't. Build up the foundations of your relationships whenever possible and they will reward you with resilience and support when you need it.

Certainly there are other ways you could apply this rule to life. Tell me, do you think it's helpful, or do you think it's enabling us to set the bar lower?

(For more on this, see The Myth of Work/Life Balance and Be Kind To Yourself.)