4 Tips to Manage Work-Life Balance
It can feel challenging to find a work-life balance in today’s society. With more positions becoming fully remote and technology widely available, the lines can sometimes blur between work and home life. Many don’t set boundaries because they fear losing hours or are worried they might fall behind on their workload.
According to Harvard Business School, 94% of professionals reported working more than 65 hours a week. Job stress from overworking can quickly damage your physical and mental state, so it’s essential to find a work-life balance. If you find yourself stuck in a similar pattern, consider the following tips to manage your work-life balance.
Set Realistic Expectations
There is no such thing as a perfect balance of life and work. It’s not always ideal to have a productive day at work and tap out to enjoy an active social life with friends or family. Instead, it would help if you strived to find a realistic work schedule. You might find that you have more energy to spend time with loved ones or pursue hobbies on certain days, while on other days, you might need to focus more on work. Setting realistic expectations for yourself and allowing flexibility in your day will help you assess what’s a priority and what can wait.
Shut Off Technology
While technology has allowed us to stay connected in a world of remote jobs, it has also put an expectation on workers to continually be available to whoever needs them. Even though it’s past your work hours, you could receive a work call at any time. By allowing notifications, calls, and e-mails to flow in when you’re not at work, you’ll have a habit of reacting to updates and allow it to stress yourself out. Turn off your notifications, and contact during non-work hours.
Set Boundaries
It’s important to set boundaries with your job to protect your well-being and mental health. While it might seem hard at first, once they’re set, it becomes easier to find a balance and for you to know your worth. For example, if you’re done working at 5:00 pm, but at 5:15 pm, you receive a work assignment, leave it until the next day. Only work when you’re supposed to be working. Unless it’s an emergency, no work task needs your immediate attention.
Start Small
With any new habit, going too big can leave you potentially burnt out. Instead of making drastic changes to create a work-life balance, start by taking small steps. Begin by choosing a log-off time for your job, where you’re no longer available after a particular hour. You could also try to reduce the number of hours you work per week from 60 to 55. Starting in small increments will help to create concrete change in your work-life balance.
Work-life balance can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking small steps and determining your life’s priorities, you’re likely to see a change in your work-life balance. If you’re still feeling a little weary, it never hurts to reach out to a career coach to ensure you’re on the right path for your future.
