PLANNING: my article text

 

“Even thinking positively can help you live longer.”- New York times.

 

What is balance? What does it mean? And why is it important in your lifestyle? The word ‘balance’ has become a popular one in terms of people’s lives and how they time manage. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. J. Leoni who was able to answer some of our most burning questions about this topic. Dr. Leoni is a lecturer, teacher, author and licensed life coach, and so was able to give us some very interesting insight into her professional opinion as well as some of her own personal scenarios she has endeavored.

 

Do you think that a person’s life should be equally balanced? Such as 50% work and 50% social?

Dr. Leoni believes that your life should not be equally balanced as it changes at different stages. “For me, before I had children, I was probably working much more than then when I had children.  This was so I could spend more time with the children so I worked part time.  Now my kids are older I'm working a bit more again. So yeah, I think it needs to change in response to life changes.” She thinks that it is best to look at the overall “big picture,” so not just being about work but its also about other needs such as health and relationships in your life.

 

Does a 50/50 work-life balance prohibit a person from career success?

This idea of being part time can be difficult and can alter success, however, Dr. Leoni explained that sometimes industries can see this as not being serious about work, however it is. Her current work institution “treats part-time as equals and it respects the other work that I do.” Leoni works 1 day a week at her current school while being a teacher, and the head staff are “happy and supportive” of her doing this.

 

Is it selfish to put yourself and your own needs before others?

“I think there's a message about women being selfish by putting their needs before others.  I do not think it is selfish. If you are not looking after yourself, your mental health and your wellbeing you will not be able to look after others.” It is important to look after yourself, and to just be kind to yourself, times can be tough and stress is not something you want on top of this.

 

When a person is feeling overwhelmed, what process should they go through to overcome this difficulty?

“When someone is feeling overwhelmed there is a good coaching activity which is you list all the things that is overwhelming you.” Then, “you can put them on a scale from one to ten and view which will have the most impact if you do not address them.” Dr Leoni also suggested going to coaching, as she says this can become incredibly “handy.”

 

 

 

 

Dr. Leoni’s favorite breathing technique:

7/11

Steps:

1.      Breath in for 7 counts.

2.      Breath out for 11 counts

3.      Repeat until you feel calmer and more in control of yourself and how you are feeling.

Reflection- my article typed:

Over the past few days, I have spent time typing out the interview that I did with Dr. Leoni from a voice note into text. Following this, I wrote my article. I have used this as a base and may change parts yet this will allow me to transfer it onto my double page spread and include her quotations that I got from the interview.