Achieving the perfect work life balance can seem like a tricky concept, especially when you have a time consuming and demanding job. You may find it difficult to fit it all in with everything else in your life ie raising a family, hobbies, caring responsibilities and socialising.
You may find your self being pulled in different directions or even suffering from burnout. Burnout can leave you feeling stressed and affect your health both mentally and physically. So it is very imporant that we all find ways to achieve that work life balance , even in the busy world we live in today. Let’s look at some tips to get you started-
- Focus on your strengths
It is not possible to please all of the people all of the time. You must try not to be all things to all men ( or women). Concentrate on your strengths and outsource the rest. If you can delegate some tasks to others,whether at work or home, do so.
- Schedule some ‘Me’ time
Make sure you schedule some time for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty bottle. You need to ensure you are scheduling time for self care.Whether it’s to workout, enjoy a pamper session or just go for a walk.
- Just Say No
You may have got into the habit of saying ‘Yes’ to everything without knowing it. The boss wants that report just as you are leaving for the day, do you stay behind to complete it? You work through the weekend because the team has missed a deadline and it has been ‘agreed’ that you will pick up the slack. Do any of these ring a bell? You do not need to say Yes to every request. When a request is made, say that you will give it some thought and get back to them. Then in your own time, think carefully about whether you can fulfill the request. Look at your current workload and any other things on your plate. Take your time to make that decision. Don’t be rushed into saying ‘Yes’.
- Don’t take work home
Leave work where it belongs, at work. Before you leave for the day, make a note of the tasks you have planned for the following day. Planning in advance will hopefully stop you from wondering about work at home and you won’t be tempted to take it home.Again, in this very connected world we live in, it is very easy to blur the lines between home and work. You must resist the urge to do that. Put yourself and your family first. Recognise the importance of protective factors, including exercise, leisure activities and friendships. Try to ensure that these are not sacrificed to working longer hours, or try to ensure that you spend your spare time on these things.
- Lifestyle Tweaks
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, excercising and eating a healthy diet. You should also try to do the things that make you ‘you’. Maintain your friendships, socialise and keep up with your hobbies.
Once you have decided that you want to make a change in your life, pick one or two from the list and concentrate on them. You will then start to feel more confident about tackling the others. You can find even more tips here. Drop a comment below and let us know how you are dealing with achieving the perfect work life balance.
