It’s the New Year and we all start off with such good intentions. One of the most common resolutions is to improve our work-life balance. Unfortunately this is just a buzzword to many people. We all have busy lives that just seem to be getting busier. But there is a real connection between the health and wellbeing of your mind and your body that is linked to work-life balance.
Today I want to share some practical tips to help you find more balance in your life, to help you feel more grounded and healthy. Basically the more balance that you can achieve, the more focused you will be in all parts of your life. A more balanced perspective can help you identify opportunities and issues that you may miss if you feel overworked or stressed out.
- Have a clear goal. This will give you the direction you need and you will find ways to start focusing on the goal or how to achieve it, and a sense of control to replace the feelings of frustration and confusion you may have.
- Write it down and keep your goal near you. Instead of saying, I want to spend more time with my family, be more specific and action-oriented. “Every weekend, I will spend an afternoon playing games with my kids.” The goals can change in time so don’t be afraid to start small.
- Be flexible. If things don’t always go to plan, be flexible and find another solution. If one weekend things don’t work out, then plan for an evening during the week to go for a walk with your family instead.
- Manage your time better. Instead of seeing how much you can get done in a day, look at what is really worth spending time on. Is it crucial or timely? Will it help you achieve your goal? This may mean cutting back on things or saying no to invitations… but think of yourself first.
- Make appointments. This is a good way to make sure your time is better spent. Schedule time for yourself and with others. This way you can focus on completing your own goals and having the time to help others. This can apply to work as well as your after-work activities.