TMS #015: 7 Work-Life Balance Tips

Balance is key to a happy life.

Whether you’re working from home, parenting, or trying to get stuff done, it’s important to find a balance that works for you.

Here are 7 tips for developing a work-life balance that will help you achieve more and be happier.

I’m the first to admit that I’ve spent many hours in my life working on things that were not important. It’s a habit I picked up in my early career and one of the most difficult habits to break.

There were times when I would work through lunch or work late into the night because I had something to do the next day. This is what happens when you have no work-life balance: You work all the time and don’t get any time off. It makes people unhappy and inefficient at their jobs (I know. I’m talking about myself right now).

Luckily, there’s an easy way out. Make small changes in your life over time. Develop a better work-life balance by focusing each day or week on what is most important to you. Don’t try to cram everything into every hour possible.

1. Value your personal time

The first step to developing a work-life balance is to value your personal time. This may seem obvious, but too many people put their professional lives on a pedestal and forget about their own needs. Instead of working, make an effort to take some time for yourself every day. If you can’t make it happen during the workday, try finding ways to disconnect when you get home at night or on weekends. For example, don’t check your emails or send texts until after breakfast in the morning.

Ensure that your productivity at work does not drain all your energy or prevent you from enjoying life outside of work (or vice versa).

2. Say no to something you don’t want to do

It’s okay to say no to something you don’t want to do.

If someone asks you for help and you feel like it’s not your responsibility, or you don’t want to do it because of the time commitment, it is okay to say no. Don’t feel guilty about turning down a request from a friend or family member if it doesn’t fit into your schedule or priorities. Chances are good that this person won’t hold a grudge against you for declining an offer of help.

It’s important that we set boundaries for ourselves when it comes to saying “no.” It can otherwise lead to us going into burnout mode and becoming unproductive at work or home - or both!

3. Don’t respond to emails after a particular hour

Your time is valuable. If you did not choose to be at work, then why should you feel obligated to respond to emails after a particular hour? This may seem obvious, but many people spend much of their evenings and weekends on work-related matters.

You need to take control of your time and make sure that you’re not checking your inbox every few minutes. Don’t check emails when you’re tired, angry, or sad. These emotions can tempt us to respond without thinking things through first.

It’s also important that you don’t check emails when you’re happy. If something great is happening in your personal life, you should focus on it and not distract yourself with emails.

4. Know when you’re most productive and work with it

Knowing when you’re most productive is one of the most important keys to developing a work-life balance. The best way to know this is to be aware of your body clock. Consider the following:

• Are you an early bird, or are you a night owl?

• Do you prefer to work alone or with other people?

• Would working in an open office space help or hinder your productivity?

• Are there certain times during the day that are better for brainstorming than others?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you should have a better sense of how to structure your workday.

5. Do things that bring you joy during the workday

There are many ways you can bring joy into your workday. You might take a break to read, watch TV or listen to music. Whether you’re reading the latest news on your favorite blogs or watching Game of Thrones, doing something you enjoy is always a good thing.

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean staying distracted all day long. When you look at your phone or computer to entertain yourself, you experience nothing outside of your devices.

The goal is to take short breaks from work and enjoy yourself in another way. Afterward, you will be more focused again and won’t have to feel guilty.

6. Have a passion outside of work and family

One of the key elements of a happy and productive life is having a passion outside of work and family. The most important thing to do is find something you can enjoy doing; even when you don’t have to. Examples are photography, reading, playing basketball or whatever sparks your interest. Make sure it’s something that makes you feel good.

Once you’ve found an activity, you can make this hobby even more fun and exciting. Find other people who share similar passions (or at least appreciate them) so as not to feel alone with them. Read up on tips/tricks from experts or professionals who practice the same activity. Watch videos/online tutorials about learning how-tos. Ask friends questions about their experiences related to the said topic(s).

7. Making small changes can help you balance your life

Developing a work-life balance isn’t easy. We’re all busy, and it can feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to do everything we want to do. But that doesn’t mean a happy and healthy life is impossible! Making small changes can help you find balance in your life, which will make you happier both on the job and at home.

Make small sustainable changes. You don’t want to throw yourself off track by trying something new for too long. If you don’t have time to attend a yoga class every day after work, set aside 10 minutes each day for meditation or stretching exercises. It will also help with stress management. Try making positive changes rather than focusing on what needs a fix. Reward yourself for making these changes. Buy something nice for a special person in your life after a particularly difficult week at work. Switch up what music plays while doing chores around the house. Whatever works best as motivation!

Remember: Making small changes will give results over time. Don’t expect overnight results!

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that work-life balance is a process, not a destination. It can take time to find the right balance between working and spending time with your family. So don’t get discouraged if you’re not perfect at it from day one! Keep trying new things until you find something that works for you.

Cheers,

Christian

Remember: You’re just one smile away!

TL;DR

7 Work-Life Balance Tips:

1. Value your personal time

2. Say no to something you don’t want to do

3. Don’t respond to emails after a certain hour

4. Know when you’re most productive and work with it

5. Do things that bring you joy during the workday

6. Have a passion outside of work and family

7. Making small changes can help you balance your life.

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