Tips for Attaining Work/Life Balance

With our world continuously changing and more jobs going remote or adopting hybrid remote/in-office models, the discussion of maintaining a healthy balance between work and home has become an increasingly popular conversation.

Technology has made it possible for many to work remotely from anywhere they would like, but it also makes it easier for work to bleed into other areas of life. This doesn’t seem so bad, at first. But maintaining a healthy work/life balance can prevent burn-out, benefit relationships, improve overall health, and lead to more productive work hours. So how can you improve your own work/life balance? Read the tips below.

1. Set Reasonable Goals

Though aiming for the stars is always admirable, it can often lead to a feeling of not being able to keep up. Instead, set small, attainable goals that will eventually lead to a bigger goal. This will not only make the process of achieving larger goals more enjoyable, it will also help you stay on track. Think small steps that get you on your way, rather than giant leaps that can cause over exhaustion.

2. Do What You Love in Work

Finding a job that incorporates a passion or interest is always ideal. It makes working day to day much more pleasant and can bring fulfillment into one’s life. That’s why at employU, we tailor career paths to each individual’s interests and abilities, setting them up for landing a job that is not only sustainable but also aligns with their passions

However, if you find yourself in a position where your interests don’t align with your job, try to find at least one or two tasks that you enjoy doing and focus on those. This doesn’t mean you ignore the tasks you don’t like. Of course, those are tasks that also need to be completed. But focusing on what you do like about your job rather than what you don’t like can help improve your overall mood throughout the day.

3. Set Boundaries

This means a few different things that can be broken down into several parts.

Learn to say no.

Prioritize your workload and don’t accept tasks out of guilt. If your plate is already full, speak up. You may ask what task should be removed to accommodate working on the newly assigned task. This also means not overscheduling yourself. It is understandable that there are so many hours within a day. And it is reasonable to assume all of your waking hours will not be spent working. If your schedule is already full, it is ok to ask for a different meeting time or suggest another way to communicate.

Set Work Hours

If you work from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, then log off when 5pm hits. Having set work hours can allow for time with family and friends to be scheduled. It can also allow for set time to relax and unwind.

Detach From Work

This means not being consumed with work or the idea of work when you are outside of your normal working hours. So, no checking emails, thinking of tasks on your to-do list, or actively discussing work. By continuing to focus on work, you never actually stop working and are mentally “still at work.” Leave your workday and give attention to the other aspects of your life. Continually being attached to work can create a mindset of work being the major factor in your life, leaving little room for much else to exist in it. This creates a major imbalance between work and home.

Typically, the commute home helps one transition from work to home, both physically and mentally. But if you’re working from home, turning off the work mindset may be a little more challenging. One way to help this transition along is to build an activity into your routine after work. This may be walking your dog, going to the gym, or even something as simple as making a cup of tea to drink on the porch. This will signal to your brain that it is now time to focus on things in your life outside of work.

4. Accept That Perfection Does Not Exist

Wanting to consistently do your best is a great attitude to have. But your best does not mean perfection. Be proud of the work you put out and accept that perfection is not attainable. This will not only help to create a more positive internal monologue for yourself, but it can also prevent feelings of burnout, stress, and discouragement – all of which can affect your productivity, quality of work, and day to day happiness.