We live in a world that isn’t exactly simple. And unless you were born privileged, chances are you work hard for everything you’ve got. Yet, for many people, material wealth alone is not enough to make them happy. In addition to their professional success, they also want the comfort and belonging that a family can provide.
After all, why wouldn’t they? Having a career and a happy family life seems entirely possible in the movies. Yet, many people find out that it isn’t always as easy as it looks. Striking a balance between work in your personal life can be hard, especially when you have multiple children and a demanding job. Whether you work from home, or in an office, here are some of the best tips to help you achieve a better work-life balance.
Establish Clear Boundaries
Setting boundaries is a must when it comes to maintaining balance. That means you must set boundaries with your family, and also boundaries with your work. In other words, when it’s time to work, let your family kindly know that they should not interrupt you unless it’s an emergency.
On the flip side, your place of employment must know that your family time is precious too, and you should not be disturbed or asked to come in to work when it is designated family time. While there are always exceptions to this rule, since emergencies and exceptions can come up, for the most part sticking to your boundaries strictly will help avoid blurred expectations or hard feelings. Learn how to say no.
Prioritize Self Care
Sometimes we’re so focused on our personal life and our family life, that we forget about everything else in between— you! Don’t forget that you are also a priority, and spending time on yourself is not just encouraged, but necessary. Dedicating an adequate amount of time to your own needs like sleeping, eating and enjoying things you love is a critical part of maintaining your sanity. Failing to do so can lead to an increased chance of depression, and even a full-fledged burnout.
Prioritize and Delegate
Sometimes we have so much going on that it couldn’t seem impossible to take on by ourselves. And in many cases, this is because it is impossible! That’s why you have to learn how to prioritize things in order of their importance. Go down the list, and decide what needs to get done first. This doesn’t always mean that everything will and can get done by you, but it at least guarantees that the most pressing matters will get done in due time. As for the rest, it’s important that you learn how to delegate. Hand these tasks off to people that are willing to help you, and can help speed up the process. This applies to both your family and personal life!
From housework to extra tasks at work, make sure you surround yourself with supportive people who are willing to help you when you fall behind.
