For most people, work is a necessary way to earn money keeping a roof over their heads and buy whatever they want to feel satisfaction. More and more people work from home and it’s becoming harder to distinguish work time and home time. But while work is essential for earning income, it isn’t everything – and it shouldn’t be treated that way. In our busy modern world, it’s very important to set your own boundaries and ensure that you have a healthy work and life balance. Otherwise, productivity will decrease and you may lose your happy balance.
Make a list of your priorities
Take the time to find out what is truly important to you. Avoid basing your priorities on what you believe you ‘should’ do. It’s very common to realize that you put all your efforts into work and don’t have enough power and time for your family and friends.
Think about steps you can take to achieve a more balanced lifestyle in line with your priorities. Your work responsibilities will always be present but make sure you have free time to spend with your family and friends or go to the gym.
Create your own daily routine
One of the ways to stay in a healthy balance is to implement a strong daily routine. According to Lewis Howes, author of “The School of Greatness” (Rodale Books, 2015), setting strong habits, such as sleeping eight hours, not checking your email for the first couple hours of the day, getting outside daily and taking time to eat right and work out, will make you healthier and happier.
Sometimes it’s necessary to say no
If you are already feeling overwhelmed by the amount you have to do in one or even both areas of your life, think very carefully before saying ‘yes’ to anything else. It is not something bad or a sign of weakness to understand when you’re tired or simply can’t do something. But it might be hard to say. Why not think in advance about ways to turn down things you do not feel would enhance your work or home life firmly and politely, so that you are prepared next time someone asks you to take on more?
Ask for help
If you have plenty of things to do simply ask people to help. It will ease the burden and could restore some balance to your life. Remember that your colleagues won’t know that you have too much to do and probably too little time to do it unless you tell them. By reducing the number of tasks, you will be able to focus more effectively on each of them. Moreover, as a result, you may even find a little free time. Use that precious time to do something you enjoy and that fulfils one of your other priorities.
Unplug for a while
We live in a modern world that never sleeps. Cutting ties with the outside from time to time allows us to recover from weekly stress. This free space gives an opportunity to emerge other thoughts and ideas. Unplugging means taking a vacation and shutting work completely off for a while. It can be just a 20-minute walk or two weeks travelling with your family or friends. It’s important to take a step back to physically and mentally recharge.
Always remember: we work to live, not the other way around.
Please register with Hard Hat Recruits www.hardhatrecruits.co.nz for job opportunities and start your journey to find a better work and life balance. We look forward to working with you.
