Is Dating Always at the Bottom of Your 'To-Do' List? #worklifelove

Thanks to Laurie Berzack, MSW, this week's guest blogger for the Work/Life Relationship Series!

I've been a matchmaker for more than a decade, I've seen and heard it all. Do you really have no time to meet someone or is that merely an excuse? If you DO want to find the love of your life this year, perhaps these five ideas will help you make it happen sooner rather than later.

1- Ask yourself, do you really want to meet someone?: Sometimes we self-sabotage and say we want to meet someone and we're lonely but we don't take proactive steps indicating we want to meet someone. Fear of rejection is one reason people tend to say one thing but do another. Meditate on whether or not you're actually ready to meet someone and change your life enough to include them. If you are not, that is perfectly fine and cut yourself a break. Focus on what makes YOU happy. Once you learn to love yourself, you will attract a much deeper relationship as a result.

2-Change up your routine: Shop at a different grocery store or on a different day. Take a co-worker up on an invitation to a new marketing event. Do your five-mile run in a different part of town. Smile at the cute guy/gal in the coffee line. Switch up your venues and your energy will automatically shift—hopefully into the arms of someone fabulous!

3-Review your online profiles: From Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to online dating profiles such as Bumble and Match, people will get a read of who you are from your online presence. Are the pictures flattering? Are they old? Do you post more complaints or more positive comments? I review online profiles all the time and help singles see themselves for how a potential date sees them. Don't eliminate yourself from an opportunity because a bad college picture tells the wrong story about you. If your online profiles are good representations, they can also attract potential dates without you doing much work at all.

4-Does Netflix ask "Are you still watching?":- If you're binge watching, then you have time for a coffee date or an art gallery visit. People make the time for what they want to do in life, including dating. If you truly desire to meet someone, evaluate how you spend your time and build into your schedule opportunities to meet prospects and date.

5-Hire a Matchmaker-There are many benefits to bringing in a pro, especially if you're a busy working professional. Many of my clients hire me simply because they don't have time to waste on bad dates. My coaching programs (from one-hour to three months long) also light a fire under my clients who have the desire to meet someone but are stuck on how to actually meet someone and once they start dating how to determine if they have found the right match.

This is a terrific time of the year to find love—people are in an active mode for dating because winter lingers on. By the time hot weather and summer vacations roll around, people are in vacation mode and it will be Fall before love is in the air, so take advantage now and make it happen!

Laurie has been Carolinas Matchmaker for more than a decade and takes pride in the boutique service she has built. With countless marriages and babies resulting from her matchmaking, coaching, and expert advice, Laurie’s life passion to help others find love is a dream come true. She trademarked the term Philanthrodating™ and set out to help singles meet like-minded do-gooders through events where people can connect. Laurie’s clientele share the common goal of finding their soul mate—a true partner in life, not just a Saturday night date. “When I make a match, I’m looking far beyond a first date,” says Laurie. “I’m looking 10, 20, 50 years down the road.”