Knowing how to balance your personal and work life can feel overwhelming. Especially since so many people work from home. Establishing boundaries and knowing when to say no to family and friends and when to say no to your coworkers and managers, can be confusing to navigate. Just remember, there are lots of work-life balance benefits, so establishing good boundaries and routines is well worth the extra work!
If you’re wondering How to Find a Career You Love and how to achieve better work-life balance, you’ve come to the right place. In addition to discussing work-life balance benefits, we’ll also provide you with valuable work-life balance tips to help you recalibrate your habits and expectations moving forward.
What is work-life balance?
The key to achieving a positive work-life balance means knowing when to prioritize work and when to prioritize yourself, your family, and your friends. In essence, achieving a healthy work-life balance means being able to establish healthy boundaries and routines so you know how to best spend your time and energy while avoiding burnout.
The key to achieving greater work-life balance can be broken down into three main categories: Time Management, Stress Management, and Flexibility.
Knowing how to prioritize tasks, i.e. practicing good time management, will increase your efficiency. This will also help you be more mindful of how you spend your time. Cultivating good stress relief habits — such as taking short breaks throughout the day, listening to music, and going for walks — will help you avoid burnout and mental exhaustion. And finally, having the ability to adjust your schedule as needed will help ensure that you can show up for family and friends when they need you, without having to jeopardize your job.
What is work-life balance
To start off, what is work-life balance exactly? Work-life balance refers to your ability to balance your personal life with your professional life. This can be difficult to achieve, especially since so many people work remotely or follow hybrid work models where their work and homelife occupy the same physical space.
The key to achieving a positive work-life balance means knowing when to prioritize work and when to prioritize yourself, your family, and your friends. In essence, achieving a healthy work-life balance means being able to establish healthy boundaries and routines so you know how to best spend your time and energy while avoiding burnout.
The key to achieving greater work-life balance can be broken down into three main categories: Time Management, Stress Management, and Flexibility.
Knowing how to prioritize tasks, i.e. practicing good time management, will increase your efficiency. This will also help you be more mindful of how you spend your time. Cultivating good stress relief habits — such as taking short breaks throughout the day, listening to music, and going for walks — will help you avoid burnout and mental exhaustion. And finally, having the ability to adjust your schedule as needed will help ensure that you can show up for family and friends when they need you, without having to jeopardize your job.
Why is work-life balance important?
Establishing healthy boundaries and routines around work can feel daunting. Our jobs offer us stability and it can be difficult to say no to your boss or manager. That said, there are lots of work-life benefits to consider. So while it’s certainly not easy, establishing a positive work-life balance is well worth the extra effort! For a greater sense of motivation, consider some of the work-life balance benefits listed below:
Signs of a poor work-life balance
Read through the following list and reflect on each statement honestly. Keep in mind that the first step to achieving greater work-life balance is identifying when and how you’re prioritizing your work life over your personal life.
If you identified with some of the above statements, chances are, you’re feeling pretty burnt out! For tips on how to get back on track, check out our articles, How to Stay Motivated at Work and 50 Productivity Hacks at Work.
10 work-life balance tips
Okay, now that we’ve discussed signs of a poor work-life balance, let’s take a look at some work-life balance tips! As you review the tips below, remember, forming new habits takes time and patience, so it’s okay to start small.
Set clear working hours
If you have a standard 9-5 work schedule, do your best to “leave work at work.” This means that as soon as you leave the office, you leave behind your work responsibilities so that you can focus on your personal life. If you work from home, set clear working hours. They don’t necessarily need to be 9-5, but there should be a clear start time and a clear finish time.
Thoughtfully plan out your weeks
Good work-life balance requires good planning! Plan out your weeks thoughtfully, making sure that you schedule enough time for your top priorities. Having a positive work-life balance does not mean blowing off your work responsibilities. So it’s important to manage your time wisely.
Learn how to say no
Learning how to say no is an essential part of achieving a positive work-life balance. Sometimes, you’ll need to say no to your friends and family, and sometimes, you’ll need to say no to overtime or added responsibilities from your boss.
Set automatic replies
Instead of compulsively checking your work email when you’re at home, set up an automatic reply with your work hours and a promise to respond as soon as you return to the office.
Take short breaks throughout the day
One of the keys to avoiding burnout is to take short breaks throughout the day. This will improve your focus and overall productivity. Take a few moments to get a cup of coffee, chat with a coworker, or go outside for a few minutes. Then you can return to your work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!
Take time off when you’re feeling sick
Your health is a top priority and there’s no reason to push yourself when you’re feeling sick. So don’t feel bad about calling out if you need to!
Communicate your needs
Clear communication is key to establishing boundaries and healthy dynamics. Communicate your needs and preferences clearly and respectfully with your boss. For example, if you need to leave work an hour early on Wednesdays for a long standing appointment, check in to see what options may be available to you. You won’t receive accommodations unless you ask for them!
Learn how to ask for help
Sometimes people feel overworked because they don’t know how to ask for help. Rather than take on everything yourself, consider how someone else might be able to help you. This might mean delegating tasks at work or asking a partner to go grocery shopping if you need to stay late in the office.
Find healthy ways to manage stress
When we’re feeling stressed, our work and relationships tend to suffer. This is why knowing how to manage stress effectively is crucial to achieving a positive work-life balance. Remember, there are lots of unhealthy ways to cope with stress, but usually, we rely on these habits when we have an unhealthy work-life balance.
Schedule time to spend with family and friends
Make friends and family a priority by consciously scheduling time for them. If you’re short on time, this might mean calling your sister on the drive home from work or running errands with a friend on the weekend.
Key takeaways and moving forward
Key takeaways and moving forward
Knowing how to balance your personal and professional life is more than just knowing How to Ask for Time Off of Work — although that’s certainly important! Practicing healthy boundaries and routines takes dedication, honest self-reflection, and hard work. Sometimes, prioritizing a healthy work-life balance means transitioning careers. In most instances though, all that’s needed is a healthy dose of discipline and self-awareness. Still wondering how do you balance your work and personal life?, consider reaching out to a career counselor for further guidance. In the meantime, check out some more of our blog posts, such as, Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace.
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