Panama is the prosperous, democratic country joining North and South America. American retirees have been coming here in increasing numbers for about ten years taking advantage of the low prices of real estate for sale in Panama. Second home buyers have also found great deals in real estate for sale in Panama. Both groups have benefited by their investment as the real estate market in Panama has appreciated.

Despite the increase in prices of real estate for sale in Panama property here is still priced below comparable real estate in the US, Europe, and the Caribbean islands. What Panama real estate for sale has to offer besides price is a chance to invest in the growing economy of Panama. Panama has the largest US investment per capita of all Latin American countries. Panama’s infrastructure, its roads, ports, air ports, and telecommunications are far better than any other American country south of the US border.

Since the US handed over control of the Panama Canal the international perception of Panama as a US colony has disappeared and a wave of international investment has arrived. Along with US investment these monies are fueling a dramatic economic expansion clearly visible in the number high rises in Panama City, improvement projects on Panama Bay and in new of the Panama Canal expansion.

It is not just American retirees who are buying the real estate for sale in Panama. The streets of Panama are filled with skilled workers from other Latin American countries seeking work. According to reports in La Prensa the bulk of mortgage money in Panama is going to housing of less than $100,000.

For retirees the attraction of real estate for sale in Panama does not stop at price or promise of their Panama property increasing in value year by year. Panama has attractive residency requirements. For example a pension of $500 a month plus $100 per dependent qualifies a retiree for residency as a “jubilado,” pronounced hoo be LA doe, which is Spanish for retired person. Purchase of property worth over $200,000 will qualify the buyer for “person of means” residency. In each case renew every five years and live in paradise forever.

If you are a “jubilado” and live in Panama take advantage of the same discounts that Panamanian retirees get. Prescription medications and doctor visits are discounted as well as the check at the restaurant and items on your grocery bill. You will pay less for your electric bill too. The banks even have a line for retirees.

Where to Look for Real Estate for Sale in Panama

Panama has two sea coasts, a central set of low mountains, and cities of which Panama City of a million or more people is the largest. Buy real estate for sale on the Pacific coast in Veraguas Province and enjoy world class sport fishing, scuba diving over coral reefs, and surfing some of the best waves on the Pacific coast of all the Americas. By the way Veraguas Province also has tame waves as well as lessons for beginners.

Panama property in Panama City includes condos in the many high rises as well as offers for those under construction or in the planning phases. For a condo on the Pacific in Panama City look to pay $300,000 up to a million dollars depending upon living space and amenities.

Panama real estate for sale in the Caribbean is a great deal in Colon on the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal up to Veraguas Province. Beach front acreage is available for $20,000 to investors looking to buy 80 acres and more. Bocas del Toro near Costa Rica is more developed but still has Panama beach front property for $40,000.

Many people try to tackle work-life balance through changes in their firm’s policies, scheduling techniques, curtailing their activities and the like.  But the real key to work-life balance is to cultivate adequate renewal so that you can remain engaged and productive while at work, and still have the energy and space for the people and things you love. The most powerful renewal can be harnessed through your body and its ability to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and fatigue.

There are many ways that you can cultivate renewal and conserve your energy reserves.  Here are a few ideas to help you:

1. Remember to take regular breaks to switch gears and renew yourself. Renewal is the key to high performance.  Coaches working with world-class athletes found that the key to gaining the winning edge in high-level sports usually has more to do with adequate rest and renewal than differences in skill.  Muscle fibers and the brain grow best when they are challenged slightly beyond their limits and then given a period of rest and recovery.

Therefore, just as a marathon runner needs a break after a marathon, so does the corporate workforce.  The body has a natural 90-120 minute cycle, called the ultradian rhythm, in which the body craves a period of recovery.  You can quickly and effectively renew yourself in conjunction with the ultradian rhythms by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and thus the relaxation response, which combats stress.  Release the chronic tension in your body by  switching gears for a few minutes to take a few deep breaths, listen to a song on your iPod or walk around the block.  But you also remember to give yourself longer breaks after periods of intense mental focus such as going to trial or closing a big deal.

2. Develop a “calm readiness” that allows you to respond appropriately and remain resilient in the face of stress. Anxiety is stored and expressed through your body, breathing and posture. When your nervous system and body are calm the mind, emotions and thoughts have can be calm and clear. Help yourself stay calm and clear headed when you are stressed by taking long deep out breaths, and looking for areas of tension that you can release to reverse the anxiety response in the body.  Unclench your jaw, soften your chest, soften your gaze and work on regulating your breathing.

3. Focus on being present for each unique situation. Don’t bring the previous meeting into an unrelated meeting. Focus on the people in front of you-whether it be a team of associates or your loved ones.  At the start of each new meeting or phone call, take a few moments to become present and make a conscious effort to leave the previous meeting or concern behind you.  Focus on your breathing for 10 seconds. Make eye contact with the person in front of you.

4. Learn to recognize your emotional state and take actions to defuse negative emotions. Many people are unaware of their emotional states.  They operate at a high level of irritation without recognizing it.  They end up blowing up at others without recognizing the warning signs leading up to the explosion.  When you become aware of your emotions, including irritation and annoyance, you can take steps to defuse the emotion before it gets out of control.  By remaining conscious of your mental states, you can leverage your emotions instead of being drained by them.

5. Don’t suck your own energy or the energy of others with your bad moods. Notice the ways you take out your bad mood on others and infect others with your negativity.  Do people have to walk on eggshells around you?  Or do you bring other people down with your bad attitude and irritation?  When you notice yourself being irritable, stop and do something to refresh yourself and snap out of the bad mood. Take a quick walk around the building, sit with your eyes closed and take a few deep breaths, connect with someone or something you love to resource yourself.

6. Find ways to make your job an expression of your deepest held values and take actions aligned with you values. For example, if you value respect, take actions that demonstrate respect for other people’s time and effort.  Give timely and constructive feedback.  Show up on time for meetings.  Avoid assigning work over the weekend if possible.

7. Stay actively connected to your passions and hobbies by scheduling time for them. Don’t lose connection to the activities that feed you.  Make sure you regularly carve out time for your hobbies and passions.  If you are a musician, schedule a lesson or time to play weekly or monthly.  Join a singing class or drawing class.  Don’t let this time get eaten away by the never-ending list of things to do.  The list will always be there, but if you lose your connection to the things you love, you won’t be able to resource yourself to be fully engaged when you are working.

8. Focus on what is important to you instead of what is frustrating or dissatisfying. At work it is easy to focus on what is not going well, who is not performing up to par, the systems that are broken and need fixing.  But underneath each thing we’d like to fix or change, there is an often unstated, commitment to something else.  For example, if you’re upset that Susie is always late for work and never reprimanded, you probably have a commitment to fairness or respect.  If you are irritated because Jenny never gives timely reviews or feedback, you may be trying to express your commitment to mentoring and open communication.  When you find yourself getting upset over the actions of others, try to re-frame your annoyance into the underlying commitment that you have.  Focus then on taking actions in line with those commitments instead of festering on the annoyance.

9. Exercise regularly to keep the mind alert. Exercise has been proven to have immense benefits in increasing brain cognition and producing a substance that could be likened to “Miracle Grow” for the brain.  Getting regular exercise also helps diffuse the build up of stress chemicals in the body.  Be careful not to exercise when you are already depleted, as exercise, although beneficial in many ways, is also perceived as stress on the body. ]]> http://www.north-endrenewal.org/8/renewal-the-key-to-work-life-balance-remaining-engaged-productive-and-energized/feed 0