Many of us find that the workday encroaches on our much-needed recharge time. No matter how much we enjoy our jobs, its important to set aside personal time to enjoy family, hobbies, and experiences. These tips are designed to offer guidance on how to gain control over your work-life balance.
It can feel impossible to always make our work perfect, and this in turn consumes our time by trying to reach unattainable standards we set for ourselves. This can lead to resentment for our jobs, dissatisfaction in our work like and this even carries over to our personal lives. We may end up being less present than we’d hope in our personal lives.
By accepting our best work, we can let go of perfectionism and learn to feel pride in our work again and accept a job well done. This doesn’t compromise on quality, but it does help to steer clear of burnout which may cause us to be unable to fulfil our jobs entirely.
It might be tempting to finish tasks we remember once work hours are over, or answer work emails and calls when we’re off the clock. It’s important to set a boundary and make sure your time away from work is spent doing the things you love or taking care of life admin tasks. Make sure your reserve work for office hours and make use of all your personal time to take a step back and recharge.
We hear from health specialists how important exercising and eating well are for the body, and the same applies for the workplace too. We tend to let aspects of wellbeing fall by the wayside when we become swamped in our work. To be the best version of yourself, it’s important to fit in physical exercise and rest. Dedicate time in your week for to go for a long walk, attend the gym or take part in a team sport. Exercise is proven to uplift our moods and reduce stress – including stress gained from long workdays. Exercise paired with relaxation like yoga or meditation is an effective way to feel rested, and to develop better, healthier ways of managing stress. Consider doing a 5-minute breathing exercise on your commute to and from work. By ensuring you make time for self-care in your week, you’ll be more energised and prepared to take on the busy work week ahead.
It can be difficult to know where to start with the countless tasks to be done during the day. By jumping in headfirst, we set ourselves up for confusion, mismanagement, and loss of valuable time. By making a list of everything to be done before the day is up, you will make it easier to prioritise projects that require immediate attention and set aside time for larger tasks. Following this list will help to reveal smaller, less important tasks that can be slotted in when appropriate.
This approach can be taken with co-workers too! It can be a great motivator seeing your colleagues when you’re getting ready to begin work, but it’s easy to get caught up in mindless chatter that intrudes on the job at hand. Create a balance for yourself by politely excusing yourself when the conversation is getting in the way of your work.
If you’re the type of person who becomes easily distracted by the things around them, considered making changes to your work environment and set yourself milestones for throughout the day to get your work completed. When possible, silence your phone or restrict access to certain apps or websites so you’ll be less inclined to let your attention wander elsewhere.
Changes won’t happen overnight. Fine tuning your work-life balance will take time. Trust the process and stay consistent. Consider the steps you can take to find an equilibrium and be mindful of when to implement them into your daily routine. To recap, avoid trying to reach perfection – your best is good enough! Disconnect from your work phone and computer if you’re not required at work, focus on using this time to recharge so you can feel rested enough to dedicate yourself in the workplace. Schedule time in your weekly schedule to incorporate activities for your mind and body such as exercise, yoga, and meditation – even a simple 5-minute breathing exercise can make a difference to your overall mood! To conclude, you can ensure your day goes to plan by prioritising your tasks for the day and avoiding distractions like your phone and needless chitchat during work hours.
Include these steps in your work week and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier work-life balance and happier days ahead.
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