Striking the best work-life balance
It isn't easy to juggle the demands of career and personal life. For most people, it's an ongoing
challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in key areas of their life. Here are some ideas to help
you find the balance that's best for you:
Keep a log. Track everything you do for one week. Include work-related and non-work-related
activities. Decide what's necessary and satisfies you the most. Cut or delegate activities you don't
enjoy, don't have time for or do only out of guilt. If you don't have the authority to make certain
decisions, talk to your supervisor.
Take advantage of your options. Find out if your employer offers flex hours, a compressed work week,
job-sharing or telecommuting for your role. The flexibility may alleviate some of your stress and free up
some time.
Manage your time. Organize household tasks efficiently. Doing one or two loads of laundry every day
rather than saving it all for your day off, and running errands in batches rather than going back and
forth several times are good places to begin. A weekly family calendar of important dates and a daily list
of to-dos will help you avoid deadline panic. If your employer offers a course in time management, sign
up for it.
Rethink your cleaning standards. An unmade bed or sink of dirty dishes won't impact the quality of your
life. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go. If you can afford it, pay someone else to clean your
house.
Communicate clearly. Limit time-consuming misunderstandings by communicating clearly and listening
carefully. Take notes if it helps.
Fight the guilt. Remember, having a family and a job is okay — for both men and women.
Nurture yourself. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out or
listening to music. Unwind after a hectic workday by reading, practicing yoga or taking a bath or shower.
Set aside one night each week for recreation. Take the phone off the hook, power down the computer
and turn off the TV. Discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends, such as playing
golf, fishing or canoeing. Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you.
Protect your day off. Try to schedule some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are
more relaxing.
Get enough sleep. There's nothing as stressful and potentially dangerous as working when you're
sleep-deprived. Not only is your productivity affected, but you can also make costly mistakes. You may
then have to work even more hours to make up for these mistakes.
Bolster your support system. Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend or co-worker to talk with during
times of stress or hardship. If you're part of a religious community, take advantage of the support your
religious leader can provide. Ensure you have trusted friends and relatives who can assist you when
you need to work overtime or travel for your job.
Seek professional help. Everyone needs help from time to time. If your life feels too chaotic to manage
and you're spinning your wheels worrying about it, talk with a professional such as your doctor, a
psychologist or a counselor recommended by your employee assistance program (EAP).
Services provided by your EAP are usually free of charge and confidential. This means no one but you
will know what you discuss. And if you're experiencing high levels of stress because of marital, financial,
chemical dependency or legal problems, an EAP counselor can link you to helpful services in your
community.
You now have some suggestions for improving the balance between your work and your personal life.
Why not take the next step and give these suggestions a try?
Balance doesn't mean doing everything. Examine your priorities and set boundaries. Be firm in what
you can and cannot do. Only you can restore harmony to your lifestyle.
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Support groups: Find information, encouragement and camaraderie
RELATED
Learn how to say no
Time management: Tips to reduce stress and improve productivity
MayoClinic.com Bookstore
'The Mayo Clinic Plan: 10 Essential Steps to a Better Body & Healthier Life' (Hardcover)
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It isn't easy to juggle the demands of career and personal life. For most people, it's an ongoing
challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in key areas of their life. Here are some ideas to help
you find the balance that's best for you:
Keep a log. Track everything you do for one week. Include work-related and non-work-related
activities. Decide what's necessary and satisfies you the most. Cut or delegate activities you don't
enjoy, don't have time for or do only out of guilt. If you don't have the authority to make certain
decisions, talk to your supervisor.
Take advantage of your options. Find out if your employer offers flex hours, a compressed work week,
job-sharing or telecommuting for your role. The flexibility may alleviate some of your stress and free up
some time.
Manage your time. Organize household tasks efficiently. Doing one or two loads of laundry every day
rather than saving it all for your day off, and running errands in batches rather than going back and
forth several times are good places to begin. A weekly family calendar of important dates and a daily list
of to-dos will help you avoid deadline panic. If your employer offers a course in time management, sign
up for it.
Rethink your cleaning standards. An unmade bed or sink of dirty dishes won't impact the quality of your
life. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go. If you can afford it, pay someone else to clean your
house.
Communicate clearly. Limit time-consuming misunderstandings by communicating clearly and listening
carefully. Take notes if it helps.
Fight the guilt. Remember, having a family and a job is okay — for both men and women.
Nurture yourself. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out or
listening to music. Unwind after a hectic workday by reading, practicing yoga or taking a bath or shower.
Set aside one night each week for recreation. Take the phone off the hook, power down the computer
and turn off the TV. Discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends, such as playing
golf, fishing or canoeing. Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you.
Protect your day off. Try to schedule some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are
more relaxing.
Get enough sleep. There's nothing as stressful and potentially dangerous as working when you're
sleep-deprived. Not only is your productivity affected, but you can also make costly mistakes. You may
then have to work even more hours to make up for these mistakes.
Bolster your support system. Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend or co-worker to talk with during
times of stress or hardship. If you're part of a religious community, take advantage of the support your
religious leader can provide. Ensure you have trusted friends and relatives who can assist you when
you need to work overtime or travel for your job.
Seek professional help. Everyone needs help from time to time. If your life feels too chaotic to manage
and you're spinning your wheels worrying about it, talk with a professional such as your doctor, a
psychologist or a counselor recommended by your employee assistance program (EAP).
Services provided by your EAP are usually free of charge and confidential. This means no one but you
will know what you discuss. And if you're experiencing high levels of stress because of marital, financial,
chemical dependency or legal problems, an EAP counselor can link you to helpful services in your
community.
You now have some suggestions for improving the balance between your work and your personal life.
Why not take the next step and give these suggestions a try?
Balance doesn't mean doing everything. Examine your priorities and set boundaries. Be firm in what
you can and cannot do. Only you can restore harmony to your lifestyle.
Support groups: Find information, encouragement and camaraderie
RELATED
Learn how to say no
Time management: Tips to reduce stress and improve productivity
MayoClinic.com Bookstore
'The Mayo Clinic Plan: 10 Essential Steps to a Better Body & Healthier Life' (Hardcover)
ARTICLE TOOLS
E-mail this
Larger type
Reprints and permissions
Work Life Balance...What's That???
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| Charmaine Augustin, Talk Show Host, Speaker, Author, Life Coach |