January, 2018

Work-Life Balance: How to Walk the Tightrope Like a Pro

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Work-Life Balance: How to Walk the Tightrope Like a Pro

We’ve all envisioned living a stress-free version of our lives in which we can perfectly balance our working responsibilities and our personal lifestyle. In a perfect world, we have plenty of time for breakfast in the morning, drive to work with no traffic, and are enjoying a home-cooked meal with our families by seven. But in reality, it’s a delicate balancing act to manage everything life throws our way, and we can relate.

So if you’ve ever heard the term “work-life balance” and thought to yourself, “I wish,” this post is for you. There are ways to achieve and sustain an appropriate work-life balance that results in a happier, healthier you. So we’ve provided some helpful tips to find your work-life balance so you can walk the tightrope like a pro.

Achieving the Unachievable

According to a study on workers’ performance, the mismanagement of professional and personal time ranked among the top 10 stressful situations for people. It’s important to leave work at the office and enjoy the pleasures of our home lives to relieve some of that stress. So take a breath, relax, and check out these five strategies to help you achieve the work-life balance you desire.

Employee get Schedules Further Ahead of Time

1. Use Your Paid Time Off

It’s great to work hard and devote your time to your job, but it’s important to have a life outside of work as well. A great way to relieve unwanted stress is to take time off. When used appropriately, paid time off (PTO) and sick days can be extremely beneficial. If you are feeling mentally or physically exhausted from the everyday stress of trying to find a work-life balance, use your PTO.

Research shows that over half of Americans left unused vacation time on the table last year. This adds up to 662 million days that could have been used to make them less stressed. In turn, their productivity, health, and happiness could have greatly benefited from some time away from the office.

2. Unplug From Electronics

Technology has become a staple in our lives, giving us the ability to work anywhere on our mobile devices. While having our workplaces just a touch screen away can be productive and convenient, it can also create a serious blurred line between work life and personal life.

It’s important to set clear boundaries for after-hours work communication. Let the end of your workday be just that. Your emails will still be there the next morning, so try to avoid the urge to reply immediately and enjoy the break from constant contact.

Self-Service Functionality Makes Scheduling Easier

3. Keep Things Organized

When your work life is organized, you feel better. Working at a cluttered, unorganized desk does not promote a positive, productive work environment. So if you’re struggling to de-stress, de-clutter. Having some order to each day will start you off on the right foot, therefore helping your mental health and frustration level.

4. Create a To-Do List

Creating a to-do list, whether on paper or digitally, positively redirects stress levels into an actionable list. Make a prioritized record of all the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. You can also write out your long-term goals for a forward-thinking list. By using a to-do list, you experience a sense of accomplishment when you cross off completed tasks.

5. Draw the Line of Work and Home

You can fully draw the line of work and home when you find something that personally symbolizes the end of your workday. Yes, you might technically be “off the clock” when you leave the office, but your mind may still be lingering on office tasks.

Use end-of-day routines like turning off your computer, locking your door, and turning off your light to signal a stopping point. Completing one last task, making a final phone call, or sending an end-of-day email can create a psychological barrier between your two worlds and help shift your mental state to a more positive one.

The Balancing Act

If you’re struggling to achieve a work-life balance, you’re not alone. It’s a battle commonly fought by today’s workers. But by utilizing some of these helpful tips, you can be one step closer to a healthier, happier, and more balanced professional and personal life.