Ever feel like your life is running you instead of the other way round? The pressures of work can become quite a demand when you are trying to juggle career alongside family, friends, social life and general well-being. There is no magic solution to achieving a better work / life balance, like most processes that will have a positive impact in your life, it is something to be practiced but here are some top tips that should help you along the way.
Do you ever feel like your life is running you instead of the other way round?
The pressures of work can become quite a demand when you are trying to juggle career responsibilities alongside family, friends, social life and general well-being.
That feeling of being pulled in several different directions at once is one that I’m sure most of us have felt at some point. There is no magic solution to achieving a better work / life balance, like most processes that will have a positive impact in your life, it is something to be practiced but here are some top tips that should help you along the way.
Top tips for creating a better work / life balance –
• The power of no is a wonderful thing. Set your own priorities and do not be afraid to say no every now and then and put yourself first. This is not about saying no to everything but about not feeling like you have to take on the extra responsibility at work or home just to please others.
• Find your balance. It sounds simple but is something that people tend to forget. Remember to be aware of your own needs and well-being. Be mindful of how you are feeling physically and emotionally, and listen to your intuition. If you feel you're out of balance day in, day out, then it’s probably time to look at what's going on and re-evaluate.
• Ditch the time stealers. How much time do you spend complaining about having no time? How long do you really spend in front of the TV or computer attempting to take a “quick breather” maybe watching a little video or programme here and there? Have you ever found yourself being distracted my emails instead of focusing on your task in hand? These are all time stealers that can be avoided so recognise them and ditch them!
• Be strict and keep free time in your diary. Even if you enjoy the adrenalin of being constantly busy and you find yourself addicted to being the martyr, do something for yourself at least one evening a week, something you’re really going to enjoy. It’s amazing how fulfilling this will be. If you really can’t manage one evening a week then make it a day / a weekend every month. Don’t structure the time and get back in touch with what’s important to you and your friends / family.
• Prioritise. Have a plan, set your priorities and work to your goals. Remember the 4 Ds of effective time management if you find yourself becoming a bit overwhelmed. Look at your tasks that need doing and decide how to handle them.
1. Do it – action it straight away
2. Ditch it – If it’s not important or not of a nature of business then bin it and move on
3. Delegate it – don’t try to do everything yourself, if it needs to be done but someone else can do it then send it their way
4. Delay it – If it needs doing but is not urgent then come back to it. It can wait.
Feel free to include your own top tips for achieving a better work / life balance below in the comments section. We'd love to hear from you!
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