Work-life balance is not something you achieve and then never have to worry about again. It is something you need to constantly monitor and work at over time.
We all want better balance in our lives, but many of us struggle in achieving or maintaining it. There are increasing demands on our time and the benefits of email and mobile phones are countered with the costs of making it hard to have a life outside of work. To move in the direction of creating more balance in your life, you need to:
- Know what type of thinking is going to motivate you to take action. Is it the benefits of change - feeling happier and enjoying life more? Or is it more the thought of avoiding the costs of living your life out-of-balance for too long - strained relationships, feeling stressed and dissatisfied, or possible health problems?
Action tip: Write down what is motivating for you and then regularly remind yourself why you need to take action.
- Identify what it is that will help you to feel happier. Do you need to re-connect with friends, reconnect with a hobby or passion, or have more fun in your life? Perhaps you need to give yourself a regular break from responsibilities, or act to improve your health? We are all different.
Action tip: You are the one who is best placed to identify what will help you to feel more satisfied with your life.
- Set some personal goals and schedule time to achieve them. Our goals might be as simple as to start up an exercise program 3 mornings each week or to speak with your partner for 20 minutes each night after the children have gone to bed. Have these activities either in the front of your mind or schedule time for them in your diary.
Action tip: Unless you can make more time in your day, you will need to start giving priority to those things that are important.
- Know what helps you to get out of work-mode. For some, it is switching off their mobile phone or computer. For others, it is getting out of their work clothes and having a shower.
Action tip: Some find they need something that engages their attention, such as their children or a hobby to break out of work-focused thinking.
- Involve others who will be supportive of what you are wanting to achieve. We can use our support people to celebrate our progress and refine our work-life balance plan over time.
Action tip: When you hold yourself accountable to others, it helps to keep you on track.