Have you ever been in a situation to choose between work and life? If you often come across this problem, then this article is intended just for you. Keep reading and find some helpful tips on how to better cope with your obligations and strike a balance. 😉
What is the work-life balance?
Work-life balance refers to achieving the ideal equilibrium between business and private life. That means their total separation, so that neither side endangers the other. Both are equally important and should be given sufficient time.
For most people, juggling the demands of a career and a personal life is a daily challenge. Achieving the balance can often feel like an impossible goal, especially for those who strive to do their best. Often, business takes precedent over everything else in our lives and the desire to succeed professionally can leave us forgetting about our own well-being. However, achieving harmony is key to maintaining physical, mental and emotional health, even “business” health.
The work-life balance is not just an appealing concept any more, given that an increasing number of companies want their employees to lead a more balanced lifestyle. The reason for that is the happiness and fulfillment of employees which affects their productivity and motivation in getting the job done. On the other hand, if a company insists on overtime and puts pressure on employees, it will inevitably result in dissatisfaction and stress, further leading to health problems, decreased productivity and alienation from the company.
In the case of entrepreneurs, achieving a balance is the key to success, despite a never-ending to-do list. Without the balance, the job becomes uninspiring and life less interesting. That is why it is necessary to set aside a certain amount of time each day for other things besides work that help you clear your head, gain perspective and bring your best to all areas of your life.
According to experts, the work-life balance varies over time. The balance you achieve when you’re single will change after marriage or having children. In addition, the balance is not the same for each of us, and not everyone divides their work and personal life directly in half. The essence is not about neatly dividing your day between work and personal life but more about having the flexibility to get the job done while still having enough time and energy to truly enjoy your personal life.
…
If you want to strike a balance, you need to consider all the things that compete for your time and decide what to keep and what to discard. It’s all a matter of discipline that you will achieve over time.
- Finish an “endless” job
The first step to achieving balance is to accept that your job will never be “finished”. The workday shouldn’t be extended when you feel that you have no more energy to work.
- Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology is there to make your life easier, not control it. Ban technology at certain times and devote yourself to family or friends.
- Work from home
Working from home can help you free up a few hours. Also, you will be able to focus on the business in the long run.
- Fight the guilt
Superman is just a fictional character. Real people can’t devote 100% to everything they do. Don’t feel guilty if you miss a party, a game or hanging out with friends.
- Prioritize your tasks
You can create a table with tasks divided into 4 fields:
Set achievable goals that you are passionate about. Think about what tasks are most important for achieving balance and prioritize them. Make your workday as productive as possible, use time management strategies, analyze your to-do list and eliminate irrelevant tasks.
- Know your biorhythm
If you are more of a morning person, do most of the work in the first part of the day, or when you are most productive. Take a look at which part of the day you feel energetic and then focus on more difficult tasks, the ones that require high concentration.
- Find a job you love
Business isn’t just a means of making money. Besides financial, it should have emotional benefits as well. So, that should be a job you would do even voluntarily.
- Set boundaries and work hours
Set boundaries to avoid overtime. When you leave the office don’t think about upcoming projects and emails. Separate business and private PC or phone, and if it isn’t possible, use different search engines, email addresses, filters. Don’t check your correspondence and phone every hour, but take some time during the day to read and answer them in “blocks”. That way it won’t make you distracted or less productive. If you structure your work day properly, you’ll have more time to relax.
- Take a vacation
Make some time to rest and fully commit to yourself and your hobbies. Whether it’s a day or a two-week trip, use that time to “recharge” and “unplug” for a while. Don’t worry that the work will pile up or that your colleagues will be too busy, because you deserve that break, that has much more advantages than downsides of this kind.
- Be objective
At the end of the work day, do a self-analysis. Ask yourself what worked well and what didn’t and how you can solve the problem. Don’t forget that there are many similar jobs like yours where your colleagues learn a lesson every day. If you need help or some business advice, remember that you can always use that valuable resource in your environment – your colleagues.
End note:
It is important to understand that work-life balance doesn’t mean the same for each of us, because we all have different responsibilities. In today’s modern and hectic world, balance is a very personal thing and only you can determine what lifestyle is the best for you. Our colleagues, each with a unique arrangement of personal and business responsibilities, are proof of this, so we present you with diverse approaches to this challenge.
