10 Things Everyone Always Forgets That Are More Important Than Their Job

culled from:lifehack.org

Let’s face it. We have so many work priorities that we simply forget about life’s real priorities and we easily get lost in the pursuit of making more money. And it is a never-ending circle. As we make more money, our appetites increase, and we think we need more money, and so on and so forth. Once we get lost in this jungle, getting home tired each and every day, years pass by, and before we realize it, we have become old and have nothing else except our career to show for. So, here is a list of things that you should pay more attention to. These things will ultimately bring your more joy and personal satisfaction than your work.
1. Family Bonds

You’re already quite lucky if you have a family that loves you and that supports you. Whenever we think of business people, we assume that they have no time for their children. But that does not have to be so! Make time! It is essential to participate and be a big part in your family’s life. This balance between making money and participating in family activities can be hard, but once you achieve it, you will feel your bonds with your loved ones become stronger
2. The Elusive Love

Finding a love partner is already hard as it is. And if you work from 9 to 5 (or usually more), it can be even harder. You can quite easily slip into thinking “I don’t need anyone,” and while it is important to know how to enjoy life when single, it is also important to at least give love a chance and try and find someone that will make your life a bit more fulfilling. Finding that perfect someone can take a lot of work, and it will require a lot of compromise on both sides. But once you find yourself in such a relationship, you will have another support pillar in your life, a person who will always be there to give you a helping hand, or a kind word – whatever you need.
3. The Flow of Time

Time management skills are really important for any working professional, and they are essential if you want to have a balanced lifestyle, where you have enough time for everything. This should be on your priority list, but most people just throw it away and dedicate themselves to only a single aspect of their lives. If you succeed at balancing your work and social life, you will easily create more space for your hobbies or other activities that make you happy. Get up early, but also remember to sleep well. Spend your weekends wisely. Yes, get to work on time, but also get home on time, as both of those things are equally important.
4. Philanthropy

I know that the economy is not what it used to be, but guess what – it never is, was or will be! The economy is changing all the time, and no one can deny that money is tight; so many of us ask a simple question: why should I help others? Probably even people like Bill Gates, who gives a lot of his own wealth to charity, ask themselves this question from time to time. But the answer is simple: you are defined by how you treat those less fortunate than yourself. Not only will you feel good by helping others, but you will be changing lives all around you. And similar to Superman, you should not be doing this for selfish reasons. You can help out both financially and practically almost any charitable organization. You could find a local animal shelter and donate some money, or you could buy some food for a local homeless shelter. The possibilities are endless. Just imagine how the world would look if everyone were to help out others once in a while.
5. The Importance of Friendships

Without friends, life would not be as fun. You wouldn’t have anyone to laugh at your jokes or anyone to ask for advice. Not to mention that you wouldn’t have someone to share your secrets with. But friends, nowadays, are taken for granted and are seen as a means to an end. This is why you must maintain your friendships, and this can be done easily: invite a few of them over for a coffee, where you can talk about life and share your experiences. Everyone knows that we are all busy, but making time for your friends is actually the most clear indication to them how much you deeply care about their friendship, something that will prove to be the brightest of candles in the darkest of times.
6. The Need to Improve Yourself

Every day you are alive you learn something new, something interesting and something practical. You should never neglect your personal growth. Make time to fine tune your skills and knowledge. In this age of practicality, you can learn so many new things online. There are courses for everything, so something like learning a new language has never been easier. This is really important for two simple reasons. Firstly, you will become a better person by learning new things, which will broaden your horizons and open you up to new experiences. Secondly, sooner or later you will probably be in a situation where a particular skill will be really useful or even necessary, especially in a work environment.
7. Proper Exercise

The same way you need occasional mental exercise for your mind, you need physical exercise for your body. This can be achieved easily, as no one is asking you to become a body builder but just to visit a gym a few times a week. With the help of a professional, this can quickly become an easy and fun task. If you do not like overcrowded gyms, you can go for a jog, and even invite a friend or two. This can turn into a nice social event and will also be healthy for your body. Exercise has been shown to ward off depression, so whenever you are feeling down, or the stress at work is simply killing you, then maybe you need to grab those sneakers and run a few circles.
8. A Healthy Diet

We all know how tempting fast food can be and how hard it can be to avoid things like bacon because… well… bacon. But having a balanced diet will not only improve your health but it can also improve your work performance. The next time you have free time, prepare a healthy meal for yourself. Bring it to work the next day for lunch. This way you can avoid cheeseburgers. The same thing goes for snacks, as the over-consumption of sugars is the main cause of obesity in developed countries. So make your own delicious home-made substitutions that are not loaded with sugar. Eat fruits and greens in larger quantities. And remember, fries do not count as vegetables.
9. Adventure

What is the purpose of life if it is not in some way fun and exciting? Remember to travel, read, explore and interact with new people and situations. Do not be afraid of new experiences. People are generally afraid of becoming stuck in a rut, but many people, ironically, find safety there and fear leaving their comfort zone. Be stronger and smarter than that. Dare to try new things! Go on a vacation – alone, if no one wants to go with you. A few days abroad can open your eyes more than a year of doing your same old job. This will give you the courage necessary to take more risks. And who knows, some of them might change your life for the better in a way you previously thought was impossible.
10. Personal Satisfaction

All of these things we have mentioned above have one thing in common: they make you realize that there are more important things in life than work, and that we are quick to forget about them. But they are actually more important to your personal feelings of satisfaction. You work hard. You try your best and this is why you need to ensure that you feel happy and satisfied, and it is your duty, and a duty to others, to be content. Spend time with the right people, have understanding, love and patience for your family, and nurture your health and your body. Try and focus on the more important things in life, even if they do seem small and insignificant. There is much more to life and happiness than your job. You should never neglect your life for the sake of a paycheck.