Airmen must balance service before self Published Nov. 25, 2015 By Col. T. Corwin Pauly 60th Air Mobility Wing Vice Commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Service Before Self: an enduring commitment and selfless dedication to duty at all times, and in all circumstances. It is a total commitment to the highest ideals of personal sacrifice in defense of the Constitution of the United States, and asks us to subordinate personal interests, attitudes, and aspirations to the needs of our nation. It is a willingness to run to the sound of the guns and defend freedom when others run away in terror. It does not mean, however, burning the candle at both ends for so long and hard that we fall apart. It also does not demand that we place service above our family. Although we have a duty to serve, we have an equally strong duty to our family. Maintaining a healthy work - life balance is critically important and directly supports our ability to place Service Before Self while caring for our families. There was a time when boundaries between work and home were fairly clear. With today's operational tempo being as high as it ever has been, and increased technology making it harder to unplug, maintaining balance is no easy task. Consequences of poor balance include fatigue, stress, poor health, and lost time with friends or loved ones. Fortunately there are techniques to combat imbalance, and I encourage you to critically evaluate your life, habits, and priorities to change the structure of your life and make it more meaningful and fulfilling. Strive for excellence, not perfection. As careers and families grow, responsibilities mushroom and life gets more complicated. If we once believed it was attainable, we realize perfection is no longer a realistic target. Thankfully our third core value is excellence in all we do, not perfection. Unplug. Technology helps our lives in many ways, but it significantly affects interpersonal communication skills and creates expectations of constant accessibility. Too much reliance on electronic methods of communication not only increases unnecessary traffic, but can decrease vital personal interactions. Take quality time with your family and friends. Have a conversation, reconnect, and enjoy the interaction. Don't delay, in what seems like a moment your children will be raising your grandchildren. Identify what's most important in your life and minimize time-wasting activities. Build downtime into your schedule and focus those hours on your top priorities. Give yourself something to look forward to. Simplify your life and focus on the people and activities that bring you joy and happiness. Devote quality time to them. Exercise. Even when busy, we make time for crucial things in life. We always eat, drink, and sleep. Yet exercise is often the first to go when life becomes hectic. Not only is exercise a proven stress reducer, pumping good endorphins through the body, but it also increases alertness, concentration and boosts energy levels to tackle the day's activities. Exercise replenishes both body and mind. Taking care of ourselves and seeking work/life balance makes us more resilient to life's challenges, improves our interactions and performance at work and at home, and allows us to accomplish our mission today and tomorrow.