{"id":569047,"date":"2023-08-01T10:58:30","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T08:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/?p=569047"},"modified":"2023-07-31T14:31:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T12:31:38","slug":"work-life-balance-inspiration-shot-august-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/en\/blog\/work-life-balance-inspiration-shot-august-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Work-life balance – Inspiration Shot August 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Work-life balance<\/h1>\n

Inspiration Shot August 2023<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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“Busy”; it seems to have become our new natural state of being. Doing less is difficult, especially if you approach it like another task on your full to-do list. But what if you turn it around? What if you could design\u00a0your schedule, to-do list and priorities all over again, from scratch? Almost ten years ago it happened to me out of necessity, when a car accident and whiplash forced me to slow down; this time was voluntary and less invasive, but just as effective: an MDMA retreat under the guidance of a psychologist.
\nThe preparation, the psychedelic journey, the aftermath and the ‘digital detox’ were natural moments for a complete reset. I got off social media for a while, and now leave my phone on ‘do not disturb’ at all times. More ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. In short: a better work-life balance.
\nIn this inspiration shot you can read about the ‘trip’, the experience of a ‘fresh start’, productivity tips from the DC entrepreneurs conference in London that tie in nicely with that, praise for Amsterdam and the importance of dancing.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What makes you happy?<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Make a list of 100 things that make you happy. From a nice cup of tea, or playing with a puppy, to a fresh bunch of flowers. It doesn’t have to be big, difficult or expensive. If you’re in a dip, grab your list and choose something simple to become happy again.
\nDancing makes me very happy. During the conference in London, I danced salsa for the first time in years, and I was completely blown away. Now that I’m in Amsterdam for the summer, I attend\u00a0the ‘Happy Monday beach tango<\/a>‘ in Zandvoort\u00a0every week. At the end of the evening, I take the train back to Amsterdam, with a big smile on my face and a happy feeling. After watching the\u00a0Wham!\u00a0documentary I play their wonderful eighties songs every morning and dance and sing as if no one can hear\/see me (which fortunately is the case).\u00a0I would love to dance through life!<\/a>
\nWhat makes you happy?<\/p>\n<\/div>

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100 tips for a better life<\/h2>\n<\/div>

I often find interesting tips and links in the\u00a0‘5-bullet Friday’<\/a>\u00a0emails from Tim Ferris (author of The Four Hour Workweek, among others). This list of\u00a0100 tips for a better life<\/a>\u00a0contains a few gems. Which ones appeal to you?<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Don’t take yourself too seriously \ud83d\ude1d<\/h2>\n<\/div>

I’d like to share a nice ‘blooper’… During this 2009 interview about corporate social responsibility* I give some valuable tips, still relevant, for anyone who wants to contribute to a better world. In the end, I drive in the rain, while having the flu, talking to the camera, trying to follow directions from my then-new navigation system, and pontifically taking the wrong street a few times. One way street, a dead end. The camera captures it mercilessly. A stereotype ‘dumb blonde action’!\u00a0(*English captions available)<\/em>
\nI think it’s important to also show your quirks and vulnerabilities if you show a lot of yourself. So not just your ‘success story’.\u00a0Show yourself as a real person, with all your strengths AND\u00a0flaws<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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