A perfect work-life balance is all one needs in their life. Most people are career-driven because at the end of the day that helps you win your bread and pay your bills. Your work not just helps you earn money but also provide you with an identity and confidence. This is why having a solid career is important for each and every one of us irrespective of our economic and social background.
It is a well-known fact that a working individual spends most of their woken hours with their work. An average individual spends close to 8 – 9 hours a day on work. So, these working hours actually occupy most of your day. When you spend so much time with your work, it is very important to select a career option that makes you happy. It keeps you excited throughout the entire process.
Some people go to work entirely because they need money. Some people go to work because they like the idea of working as it gives them a wing to fly. There are some people would be really passionate about the work they do. Whatever may be the reason, what is more, important is to have a work-life balance for your own well being.
What is a Work-Life Balance ?
Work life balance is striking an ecological balance between your professional and personal life which helps you flourish and have a fulfilling life.
A lot of people find it extremely difficult to strike this balance. Some might be overly ambitious and workaholic Some might be very inclined to spend some quality time with their family but work never permits them to do so. 90 per cent of people tend to give more attention to their career because they feel like a career is something that cannot be compromised. However, they may take their personal life and relationships for granted. When you do this, it strains your personal life and that might lead to stress. People who tend to give more attention to their personal lives, tend to fail in their professional life.
It is not easy to strike this balance and I have learnt a few things about juggling this in my 15 years of professional career. Sharing with you my learnings to have a stress-free work-life balance.
• The first thing I do is to plan my day meticulously.
As much as being spontaneous might feel like it is working out but in the long run, you would realise it is not. When you plan your day and follow the schedule properly, you will realise that you have a lot of time with you. You can utilize this time wisely and spend it with your family and friends or doing something for yourself.
You definitely need “me-time” “family time” and “friends time” because these will help you rejuvenate your mind and health.
• Start doing smart work
Hard work is important for one’s success, smart work is needed for one’s sanity. Find out a way to do all your chores quickly and effectively. Do power work for an hour or two without a break. Give your full attention to your work at that time, do not get distracted, stay focused. This will bring about a lot of productivity in you and at the same time, you will get plenty of time to relax.
• Learn to say No
There are a lot of people who do smart work and finish off their work earlier. This attitude mostly sends signals to your colleagues to ask for your help. Of course, helping your colleague is a good thing but still, there are a lot of chances, people might tend to dump their work on you and the workaholic in you would want to work and help them out but whereas your mind and body aches for rest. So, start saying no according to your priorities which brings us to prioritise. Prioritise every single aspect of your life. Just think which is more important for you and go for it, leave everything else behind guiltlessly.
• Work-Life Balance in Work from Home
Having a work-life balance in a work from home scenario has become much more difficult and complicated than what we all had anticipated during the beginning of the lockdown. It is important to draw a line between your professional and personal life.
Though work from home has brought about effective outcomes for companies, employees are becoming more and more stressed and pressurised. In order to avoid this stressful situation, detach yourself from work during your non-working hours. Talk with your team, TL and manager about it and strictly follow it.
Do not entertain working beyond your prescribed working hour. Create a separate working station at your home and jump out of that arena once you are done with the work, never look at the region until you have to start your work for the next day.
• Start Spending time on Yourself
Relax a bit. Take some rest because your body and mind needs some time to rest and rejuvenate. Give yourself some time to bounce back.
• Do things you really enjoy
Spend some time with your family and friends. Watch a movie, eat well, play some games which would put you at ease.
• Have some human connection with people out of your work circle
Because when you try to be friends with your colleagues, it will always come back to work. Even if your colleagues are your friends then state no work talks in your free time.
• Develop a support system both at work and at home
Make friends with your colleague who can cover up for you in your absence and also be the kind of support system you want to be, to your colleague. Make your partner take care of household stuff or kids once in a while when you are busy at work.
Also, know when to seek professional help. If you feel like these don’t work for you and you are stressed and stuck, talk about it to someone who could professionally help you.
These are the few things you could do to strike a balance between your work and life. Doing these subtle things will ensure you are having a stress free work-life balance.
These are very hard times and it is totally acceptable and understandable to be confused and stressed. Let’s make certain changes to make our life a little better.
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