Work-life balance seems to be a particular struggle that many people feel they can’t win. Our entire culture is focused on working hard so you will have enough money stored up to relax by the end of your life, but is this really the most ideal way to go through life?
Establishing a positive work-life balance is an absolute necessity, but it is oftentimes difficult to see the practical ways this can be accomplished. While all of the following tips will not work for everyone, you are sure to find a few tips that will help you to establish this balance in your life.
8 Practical Ways to Establish a Positive Work-Life Balance
- Budget your time. Most have heard of establishing a financial budget, but have you ever thought to do the same with your time? Set maximum limits for hours spent working each week, and a minimum for hours spent in leisure. Set aside an emergency time slot for when working extra hours may be absolutely necessary. After creating your time budget, stick with it!
- Manage your time wisely. Everyone has a different time of day where they are able to get the most done. While many find they are most productive in the morning, I know I do my best work while walking at the gym in the early afternoon; therefore I plan my schedule accordingly. Know when you work the best and schedule the bulk of your work to be handled during this time. For more on allocating your time wisely, click here.
- Set technology limits. Technology has been an immense blessing in many ways, while being somewhat of a curse in other ways. Technology gives us the ability to optimize our workload; we are able to work from just about anywhere. However, just because we can do something doesn’t necessarily mean we should. Know when to shut the laptop down and turn the mobile on silent. This allows you to fully focus on other important aspects of life with friends and family.
- Say “No” more often. I once asked a young lady during an interview to name one of her greatest weaknesses. Her response was she lacked the ability to say “No,” which often led to excessive commitments to multiple people and organizations. You have the right to say “No” to people. As Warren Buffet once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” Michael Hyatt has addressed this topic as well; click here to see his recent podcast, “How to say no without feeling guilty.”
- Take breaks and enjoy weekends and holidays. Be willing to pause during your day-to-day activities. When a holiday comes up, don’t stress about how much work you will need to catch up on when you go back. Author Vikram Verma put it this way: “Work is just a part of our life, not vice versa. So live life full time, work part time.” This isn’t to suggest you cut down to 20-hour weeks, but to help you see work isn’t everything. Enjoy the time you have away from work!
- Communicate with coworkers. If you need a day free of interruptions, communicate this to your coworkers. If you have a family issue or simply need a day away, let them know and be specific on when you will be unavailable. This will help avoid unnecessary complications and interruptions.
- Lose the superhero complex. We were not created to do everything. Know your own limits. Some can work 60-80 hours a week while some need to work 20-30. Know what you are capable of and stick with it.
- Telecommute if possible. If you have a job that allows you to work from home, consider making one day a week a work from home day. Telecommuting allows you to save time by eliminating unnecessary distractions and the time it takes to get to and from work. This is an excellent way to focus on specific tasks that often get constantly interrupted while at the office.
There are many more practical ways to help create a positive work-life balance that are not listed here. Find the strategies that work best for you and your job and begin implementing them. It is a struggle worth fighting, and you will notice that once you have established this balance, you will not only experience more time with family and friends, but you will become a more efficient and productive worker.
