Do you feel caught between two worlds sometimes? Weekdays spent in the hustle of a 9-5 corporate job working in the glow of dual monitors. Come the weekend, you’re out there in the wild—camping, canoeing, hiking—basically doing everything that doesn't involve Wi-Fi or a proper bathroom.
I think many of us are on the same rollercoaster, trying to find a balance of professional focus and squeezing in time for the great outdoors (or other hobbies!). I'll admit, it’s rarely easy maintaining peak performance in both worlds while finding balance. But I’ve discovered a couple things along the way that help me find an equilibrium and make the juggling act somewhat sane. I hope this list can help you find your balance as well!
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Set Clear Boundaries:
Define your work hours and stick to them. Of course, there will be those one-offs where you’ll need to work longer hours, but for the most part I am logged off and unavailable after 4:30PM. If a call comes in during my lunch break, I don’t take it. Weekends are sacred personal time; refrain from checking e-mails or taking calls. Getting my work done is completely feasible in a 40-hour work week (most of the time) and if people don’t respect your time and life, then they’re not worth catering to. There will ALWAYS be work. You only have one life.
Take Breaks:
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the world we live in today. Remember to give yourself a break. I don’t mean take a 15 min nap. I mean, be completely useless for a couple days. You don’t need to be on top of it all, all the time. Give yourself permission to do the bare minimum and be okay with that. I find that doing this every so often helps me re-set and increases my motivation afterwards.
Learn to Say No:
This is a big one and something I work at everyday. Remaining honest with who you are and what you need is crucial. You may also need to put in some effort to recognize your limits. The hard part after that is dealing with the guilt of saying no. In these instances, I remind myself: saying NO is saying YES to yourself.
Flexible Working Arrangements:
The traditional 9-5 grind is gradually fading away, and it's a welcome change. Personally, I find a lot of value in a flexible work schedule that allows me to flow between working from home and the office. The ability to tweak my hours, within reason, is a game-changer too. I know not everyone has this luxury. Fortunately, I have a supportive boss who understands the importance of work-life balance, allowing me to shift my schedule slightly to accommodate personal needs, whether it's running an errand or taking an extended lunch to fit in a workout. If feasible, explore similar options and have an open conversation with your boss or team about your intentions. Flexibility is key in achieving work-life balance.
Establish a Routine:
Find a routine that works for you and stick to the general outline. Maybe you like to wake up early to steal time for yourself before the world wakes up. Or maybe you need to go for a run three times a week to feel sane. Learn what you love and build your life around that. Life will undoubtedly throw curveballs every once in a while, and the routine won’t be possible. In these instances, be flexible and forgiving. Embrace the unpredictability, and once the storm has passed, gently reintegrate your routine to get back to your rhythm.
Reflect and Adjust:
Lastly, regularly reflect on your work-life balance and whether it’s working for you. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to how you structure your life to make you happy. Remember, achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process.
Do you have any questions, comments or want to share how you maintain your work-life balance? Comment below!
Oooh, I like that; "saying no is saying yes to yourself."