8 Tips for Balancing Work & Life

It’s not a myth that balancing work life and personal life makes people happier and more productive overall. It’s a satisfying feeling when all aspects of your life are balanced.

Manage your overall work/life balance with these tips. Just remember, it may not be the easiest of adjustments, but they are worth it.

Schedule your Time

Map out your time spent on tasks daily. List out everything you do in a “typical” week and create a schedule for those tasks (i.e. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to read and respond to emails). Dedicate at least one day per week to be “meeting-free.”

Make Time for You

Time for yourself is the key to a healthy and satisfying work-life balance. It’s important to realize that just because you have free time doesn’t mean it’s “available” time. That being said, for example, when your calendar is empty for Wednesday night, use it to do your favorite hobby or a much needed activity for yourself.  Don’t spend that time working late at the office. Give yourself a break to do the things you want to do. Block out your “me time” on your calendar, so when coworkers or friends ask you to attend an event, you know that you are busy. NOTE: “me time” also does not mean “time for me to do chores around the house.” “Me time” is for you do something for yourself.

Stick to your Work Schedule

Maintain a consistent work schedule. Manage your time during work wisely, instead of staying late to make up for time lost. Set your daily schedule every morning, including the time you will leave and stick to it. Block out 20 minutes before you plan to leave as wrap up time, so you don’t get stuck trying to finish a work project with the intention ofatte “just 5 more minutes.”

Turn off Distractions

While you’re at work or when you need to accomplish an important task, turn off the distractions. Sign out of your social media accounts, turn off your phone, and make sure all other distractions are out of the way. With little distraction, you can focus and get things done on time.

Carve Out Tech-Free Time

Block out time on the weekends to stay away from screens, including phone, computer, and TV. Your mind will feel much more refreshed on Monday if you spend some time doing tech-free activities, such as going for a run or attending a fun event.

Maintain a Sense of Humor

Laughter is always the best medicine and it’s an important aspect in anyone’s life. Laughing can also boost our energy to be more productive. Besides laughing with your co-workers at the water cooler, a fun idea is to decorate your work space with funny sayings and other décor.

Exercise your Alternatives

Many companies see the benefit of work/life balance for their employees, so they have implemented policies to facilitate it. Find out what options are available to you, such as working from home, flexible hours, job-sharing or even part-time employment. If your company doesn’t have policies like that in place, try proposing it.

Know What you Want out of Life

You have to make deliberate choices based on what you want out life in order to achieve work/life balance. Don’t let life pass you. Decide what you want out of life and develop a road map toward achieving what you want. Plan how you want to spend your time and commit to it.

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