It is so easy to open your laptop and just respond to those few emails or add the finishing touches to a project. We think to ourselves, it will get us ahead, and besides, we can start tomorrow with a clean slate. But before you know it, it's past your bedtime, and you haven’t had any time for yourself.
Working late has almost become something we are proud of - it shows how dedicated and hard-working we are. We even land up thinking that people who work normal hours aren’t putting enough effort in. It is a crazy world. But the truth is if you continue to work without having a balance, you’re most probably going to burn out and be the least productive employee around.
Creating a work-life balance is all about balancing the demands of your work and personal life. Something we take for granted and put far too little effort into. Perhaps it's time to take a step back, pause, and really look at your current situation.
What is happening right now?
The first step towards creating a work-life balance that works for you is to pause and reflect on what is happening in your life right now. Ask yourself some important questions, such as whether you're spending enough time doing what you truly enjoy or if you're really committed to things and people that are meaningful to you. And whether you still feel aligned with your personal and professional goals.
Priorities, priorities
Next, you need to look at your priorities and what matters most to you. It's all about where you can compromise and where you have been making too many compromises. There are always alternative steps we can take to make sure that we devote enough time and energy to our goals and relationships. A work-life balance is not about doing one or the other, it's about figuring out how you can integrate your responsibilities to honor more than one at the same time.
Time management
Time management is key to your success. It is often surprising to see what our priorities actually are. If you are not sure what has inadvertently become a priority, look at where you are currently spending your time, you are probably going to be in for a big surprise in how little time you are devoting to your personal life.
Once you have analysed your current schedule, it is the ideal time to look for ways to adjust it where possible. Planning your day is crucial to getting back on track. Small steps, perhaps this week you can schedule some personal time - perhaps a gym session before work or a family dinner. You didn’t get out of balance in one day, and it will take time to get it back.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is also crucial to achieving that work-life balance. You can start by setting small boundaries, like leaving work on time at least one day a week, not responding to emails after hours, or turning your laptop off by a certain time. Build up slowly and make sure you communicate your new boundaries so people know what to expect.
Finally, remember that creating a good work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires reflection, refinement, and repetition. Be patient with yourself and know that big life changes can take time. By regularly reflecting on your approach and refining it over time, you'll be able to create a work-life balance that serves you and ultimately brings you greater happiness.
