3 Ways to Perfect Your Work-Life Balance

Written by Tom Tolladay - 15 Comments
Categories: career, relationships, self improvement

Whether you have just started in the world of work or a seasoned professional, establishing a successful work-life balance can prove difficult challenge. Having a good work life balance is a huge factor in your general happiness and well being. We all feel pressured to work and worry about work and we are all pressured to be out with friends or family every night. Pressure comes from all around you and before you know it you are stressed at work and not going out.

The outcome is that you will be unhappy and this will affect not just you but your friends and family. Achieving balance will mean you will be happy with your life as a whole and enjoy work and appreciate the time you have when it comes. So with that in mind, here are the three ways that can help you find your work life balance and feel better as a result.

1)Know your boundaries

An important life skill, knowing your boundaries is a instinct that you learn as you age and that you learn to trust. Knowing your limits is a highly respectable trait, one which many wish they listen to. Your body will tell you when something is wrong and listening to these signals is a sure way to helping a work life balance. When I first started work I was always meeting up with my friends after work to chat and have a couple of drinks, it normally resulted in me coming home late and although i always had a great time, I also remember being absolutely shattered everyday for work. Simply put, there was no balance. When your body says you are tired or ill or out of sync, know when to go home and relax. Only going out a few nights a week, will mean that you get a regular routine of sleep, which will help you feel refreshed at work. Also not partying ever night will save you money, this will mean you can buy that item that you always wanted or go to that place you have dreamed of. It is important to plan in advance, not weeks in advance, not even days, but just make sure you set out when you meet up, what you are going to do and when you will be heading home. This leads us onto the next point.

2) Always make time for yourself

We all love those days where we stay in bed and do nothing. Physically and psychologically having time to yourself, where you can reflect, unwind and relax, can be hugely beneficial. Sometimes a busy week can take its toll on the body and mind. A day to relax in front of the TV can do a world of good and allow you to charge your batteries for whatever the future may bring. Knowing that you are the priority means that you will take time to appreciate what you like doing and as a result you will be more independent and less susceptible to peer pressure. This is a huge step to having a work life balance as you will be able to say no and as a result gain more self respect. It would not be wise just to stick to things that you like and never go out, having new experiences is a great part of life, making time for yourself is simply a step to help you manage your time better.

3) Learn to switch off

Once you step out of the office, work has finished, relax and forget about any work issues or deadlines, taking your problems home with you or to work is always going to end badly. It is your time and you should do what you want with it. This does not mean that everyone ends up with two contrasting lives. Simply that taking a fresh look at life and putting things into perspective can mean huge things for your general well being. You could start to worry less and be more enthusiastic about life. Knowing that there is more to life than just work will liberate many people and help them achieve true happiness. I never lose sleep over work now, I turn up to work fresh and enthusiastic and I still go out a couple of times a week with friends and family. As a result, I feel I have achieved my perfect work life balance and I am happier for it.

Everyone should take a step back and ask themselves do I have a good work life balance? Is work affecting you motivation to socialise or is partying all night affecting your work. Either way a balance has to eventually occur and everyone will have a different level, but most importantly it is what works for you and at the end of the day, what makes you happy.

Bio: Written by Tom Tolladay, an event’s organiser for www.chillisauce.co.uk. Tom has also written for sports website caughtoffside and is a contributor for the International Institute of Event Management. You can contact Tom on his blog www.eventsuppliers.co.uk

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  • http://jackfoley.net/ Jackfoley

    Yea i think its all about productivity. If one works at home and the person is really productive, you can get so much done in 4 hours per day for example but the time has to be seriously productive free from distraction

  • http://twitter.com/JasonAGroup Jason Anthony

    As with many aspects of our lives, the proper balance is key. Turning the switch off (as you put it) can be a great help to many out there who take the drama, work, and problems home with them.  Leaving it at the doorway and focusing on creating an abundant life  - outside of the office (or your profession) has great benefits. 

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlyxuXhGqk8&feature=youtu.be dissertationrelief.com

    Written simply and tastefully. It’s pleasant to read. Thank u.

  • Amy Swanson

    As someone who falls into the, “first professional job out of college” group, this was an excellent read! It took me a few weeks to get used to not going out every night with friends because the next morning would be almost impossible to get through. Plus, with gas prices it was really expensive. Just like you mentioned, now I go out maybe once a week or have people over to my place to hang out instead. Finding that balance is tricky, but it does get easier :) Great post, Tom. Thanks!

  • Amy Swanson

    As someone who falls into the, “first professional job out of college” group, this was an excellent read! It took me a few weeks to get used to not going out every night with friends because the next morning would be almost impossible to get through. Plus, with gas prices it was really expensive. Just like you mentioned, now I go out maybe once a week or have people over to my place to hang out instead. Finding that balance is tricky, but it does get easier :) Great post, Tom. Thanks!

  • http://www.freedomeducation.ca/ Steve Martile

    I think forgetting about work is harder to do… to just “shut-off.” 

    UNLESS you have something else way cooler to think about after we leave the office, it’s difficult to shut off… most of us don’t have the mental ‘strength’ to shut our brains down.

    That being said, in my own personal experience, I find, the easiest way to create that sense of balance and peace of mind is by replacing worry thoughts with something way better!

    So instead of ‘worrying’ what you did or didn’t do at the office that day… you could replace those thoughts with new thoughts of appreciation… appreciation for having a good family, appreciation for some new adventure or creation… or appreciation to be alive and well in this very moment…. replacement thinking is the key…

  • http://thebooksthatchangedmylife.com/ Marc Van Der Linden

    Finding the right balance between your work and life can be challenging, but it is wonderful when you finally find it. Switching off is indeed key. And that you can only do when you can switch ‘on’ as well: work is work and then you focus on that and life outside work is life outside work and then you focus on that. 

  • Nilesh Parakh

    Dear tom,
        It was very nice of talking to you. The three ways which you mentioned are no doubt helpful to maintain balance between work-life.  But the article is incomplete I feel following points should also be included

     1. Management of work : – Without this maintaining balance is near to impossible

    2. Time management: – This is also very important as this increases the happiness in life, increases productivity and boost the efficiency.

    3. Love: -Wife should be loving

  • Anonymous

    …

  • http://pristineperception.com/ Suzanne

    Switching it off was my biggest setback right next to small rewards for successes. Both are equally important to keep momentum and motivation.

  • Aquirious492

    its not enough

  • http://twitter.com/P_R_McC Patrick McCarthy

    I really appreciate the time for yourself part of this.  My life seems to be a little out of balance currently and that time is treasured, though hard to get.  By the time I put in 55 hrs at work and  a full day of class on Saturday.   I’m not left with much time.  Between wife and family I feel selfish if I use it for “me time.”   At least the classes are temporary!  Enjoyed the post.

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    [...] 3 Ways to Perfect Your Work-Life Balance — To perfect your work-life balance, always make time for yourself. [PickTheBrain] [...]

  • http://researchpapermonster.com/ research paper

    interesting thoughts

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