How to improve your work-life balance

 

Separating work and personal life is a skill that not everyone can easily master, but it’s extremely important, as it positively affects our overall life satisfaction and gives us a sense of fulfilment and well-being. So, if you notice that you have room for improvement in this area, try starting with the following steps:

 

The reason why many employees fail to maintain a work-life balance is due to poor time management. Therefore, try to evaluate how you prioritise your time. Do you have a daily to-do list that you follow? Are you taking on too much? Also think about what is interfering with your concentration and work rhythm. Gradually try to get rid of these elements and see how it affects your performance.

 

If you feel overwhelmed by tasks during the day and find it difficult to spread out your responsibilities, try using a method called the Eisenhower Matrix. This involves dividing your tasks into four categories according to importance and urgency, which will help you prioritise and identify areas that you can postpone or delegate. If you divide your tasks sensibly for the day, you will minimize the factors that distract you while working, not only will you work more efficiently, but more importantly, you will also avoid working overtime.

 

Many employees find flexibility at work useful for maintaining work-life balance. If you don't currently work remotely or in a hybrid form and think there could be many benefits, try talking to your manager about this option. Many companies that implemented such solutions during the pandemic still use them and mostly rate them as effective.

 

However, every working model has its pluses and minuses, hence be sure to think about how it will affect you and your work if you don't have your colleagues around, whether you would have an optimal space where you wouldn’t be disturbed and could focus on your work in peace. Remote working is not for everyone, some people tend to be more efficient when working in a team, other people may struggle with the tendency to work extra hours when working from home. For example, it's a good idea to divide up your tasks during the week so that you have tasks at home that don't require as much interaction with others. Once you are clear on this, ask your manager for a honest discussion during which you present your suggestions.

 

There are situations where working overtime is unavoidable. Emergencies just happen, maybe you're finishing up an important project with little time left before a deadline. That's okay. But these situations shouldn't be long-term or every day. You need to be able to recognize boundaries and set your schedule wisely so that working overtime is the exception rather than the rule. While it is not always easy to communicate assertively in the workplace, it is good to remember that this is a core competency.

 

It is important to recognize the value of your free time and to set your boundaries. After all, regular overtimes can lead to burnout and health problems, which is certainly not in your employer's interest, let alone yours.

 

Have you finished your work? Have you turned your work laptop off and put your phone away, or do you tend to keep checking for new emails? While it may seem like it only takes a moment to respond to a message or email, the reality is that it can end up keeping you busy for longer, when you should already be focused on yourself and your personal matters.

 

So, make a distinction between the time you devote to work and the time that belongs to your well-deserved rest. This will bring you greater satisfaction in your personal life and allow you to get more rest before your next working day.

 

Don't forget to really make the most of your days off and plan regular vacations. Ideally, you should take at least twice a year, and your holidays should last preferably two or even three weeks at a time, if that is possible, to get out of the rut and get some distance from your work. This can also be an advantage for your work later, as you might find new inspiration and ideas.

 

Rest takes many forms. When you rest physically, it is mainly your body that recharges. Active rest is also important, that’s when you do some physical activity, but it is not necessary to perform peak physical feats. Mental rest is also very important, especially for those who work in stressful jobs. There are many ways to relax mentally, for example breathing exercises, meditation or walks in nature are great.

 

 

Remember that even when it comes to relaxation, there is no perfect state to chase. The goal isn't to make setting up the right work-life balance another stressful job to manage. You don't have to play sports, meditate, or sparkle with positive energy every day. What's more important is a long-term satisfaction with your work as well as with your personal life.