A work-life balance is important and can make all the difference to your life and how you feel about it. Here are some tips to achieve it.
Know When To Say No
This is something that a lot of people find hard because you might feel strange saying no to your boss or colleagues when they ask for help. If you are one of these people, you generally have more work than you can handle. If someone does ask you for help, there is no need to respond to them immediately.
Instead, you should tell them that you will get back to them about this. You can then check if you have the time to help them. If you do not, they should not be offended when you tell them that. It is important to remember that doing a few things well is better than burning out trying to do too much. Remember, demands are demanding and force us to adapt as this piece from New York Meditation Center shows – however, saying no can be that adaption.
Leave Your Work At Work
Constant connectivity has improved productivity, but it also makes us less productive at the same time. Smartphones offer a lot of distractions, but they also allow us to work from anywhere with an internet connection. This is not a good thing when trying to balance your life.
You need to stop looking at work emails at 11 pm. One of the best ways to switch off is to create a to-do list before you leave work for the next day. You can then shut down and leave all your work for the next day because you have everything planned.
Work Smart
We live in a world of endless meetings and useless email threads where focusing can be hard, but you need to learn how to work smart. It is very easy to waste time at the office and have a lot of work waiting at the end of the day. To avoid this, you need to prioritize your work and this will make you more productive. This step does link to knowing when to say no and you should not be scared to decline meeting invitations if you are not needed.
You also need to set deadlines for tasks and stick to them. You can move to a quiet area or block out time in your calendar to get the presentation you have done. You should also look at outsourcing some of the smaller tasks if you feel that you can. When you cut out the noise at work, you will find that you get more done in less time.
Plot Work And Personal Time
A recent study has found that quality me-time will make you a better employee. While this is good for your job, this time is also good for your overall well-being. To ensure that you are getting this time, you need to plot some self-care time into your diary and give it the same importance as any business meeting.
You need to have a clear divide between your work and personal hours and ensure they do not meet. If you are more work-obsessed, you need to focus on your personal well-being to become better at your job. Burning out will not help your career.
Listen To Your Body
Your health will take a hit when you do not have a balance between work and personal life. Exercise can reduce stress and ensure your body is healthy. It is important that you get at least 30 minutes of movement per day and this could be a quick walk to energize you for the rest of the day. You should also look at post-work relaxation as this helps you disconnect from the stresses of work and help your mental well-being.
