January 4th 2022
For many of us, achieving the perfect work life balance seems impossible. That’s because it is exactly that. Impossible. This doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to manage our daily lives a little better though. The sooner we understand that a perfect work life balance simply doesn’t exist, the better off we’ll be. We’ll be able to implement smaller life changes that can have a huge impact on our daily working lives over time.
We’re going to help you to understand how you can identify when your work life balance is out of whack and give you some tips on how to incrementally change your behaviours to bring you closer to a state of zen.
What is Work Life Balance?
Work life balance is the level in which your personal and professional lives overlap, and the impact that has on your day-to-day life. You’ve heard of the phrase ‘taking your work home with you’, whereas we call it ‘work life unbalance’. If your professional working life is following you home and having an adverse effect on your moods or relationships, then it’s clear that something needs to be done.
Your work life and home life should work in tandem, as the two most important facets of your life. The more they overlap in a negative way, the more likely you are to suffer the emotional toll that comes with it. Home life should be dedicated to family, friends, and personal reflection, whereas professional life is what pays the bills or sustains your creativity. Both are incredibly important.
Why Do I Need a Good Work Life Balance?
In short, we say that you need to maintain a good work life balance, because if you don’t, you might very well go mad. That may sound a little dramatic but hear us out.
A good work life balance can have so many positive effects on your daily life, from allowing you to put time and effort into your relationships at home, to boosting employee productivity and motivation at work. If you are an employer, putting an emphasis on work life balance for your employees can drastically affect your overall business performance. Happy and fulfilled workers are much more likely to work harder and make fewer mistakes. It also means that your employees become ambassadors for your brand and can be prouder of the work they produce.
The financial toll on a business where unhappy employees are leaving can be a big hit. That’s exactly why so many businesses are promoting a good work life balance to attract the best and most motivated talent for their positions.
How Do I Know if I Have an Unhealthy Work Life Balance?
Working longer hours doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a bad work life balance, but it can contribute to it in the long run. You may be the kind of person that would rather bury themselves into their work to escape other parts of their life. This approach is widely recognised as an unhealthy work life balance. On the other side of the coin, you may be the kind of person who only does what they need to do. The bare minimum because you’d rather be watching Netflix. I would imagine we’ve all been some combination of these two in our lives at some point, and neither is very sustainable.
Some people need to work longer hours to pay the bills or rent, and we are not targeting those hard-working individuals here. We’re trying to shine a light on what behaviours can become toxic over time to the wellbeing of the person. Sometimes we need to take a step back, evaluate our current situations, and take positive steps to improving the overall balance between work and home.
How Do I Improve My Work Life Balance?
So, we’ve explained what work life balance is, and how you can recognise when it’s not going very well. What can you now do to remedy the situation, and work towards a more structured and fulfilling life?
Begin Your Day Around You
Before you start work, do something for yourself. It sounds simple enough, right? If you have time in the morning, watch an episode of that show you love. Before you get into the office, pick up your favourite iced latte from that coffee shop where they know your name. Starting the day focused on yourself and adding in just a small extra step that is solely to make you happier will pay dividends. You can also do this at the end of the day if you so wish – we won’t tell anyone.
Manage Your Time
In order to get organised for the workday ahead, you should work on your time management skills. From creating to-do lists, to time blocking your day to efficiently complete your tasks, there’s many things you can do to manage your time in the best way possible and reduce stress and anxiety. Learn to prioritise your daily tasks and factor in breaks when you need them. You’re at your best when you are content and comfortable in your ability to get your work done.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
If you work as part of a team, learn to lean on them for support in your work. Don’t try to take too much on your shoulders just to try to impress the big wigs. If you need help, ask for help! Delegate tasks between you and your co-workers. If you use tools or platforms in your work, learn more about them, as there may be efficiencies that you’re missing out on that could save you buckets of time.
Find Ways of Staying Productive
This point ties directly into managing your time. If you have a set agenda for the day, and know exactly what is being asked of you, your productivity should be through the roof. You know what needs to be done, and how long you have to do it. If you’re having a dip in productivity, take a short walk to clear your head and gather yourself. Take an early lunch to refuel. Find things to do that help you get centred and focused again.
Learn to Say No!
If you’re taking on too much and someone asks you to do another task, there’s no shame in saying no. You’re only one person at the end of the day. You know what your limits are and when you’re at capacity. It’s much better to say no, than to say yes and produce work that you’re not proud of. This also helps for creating boundaries within your workspace, as your colleagues will understand what your limits are also. Focus on one thing at a time, you’re not superhuman.
Prioritise Your Mental Wellbeing
Speaking of not being superhuman, you need to realise the limits of your own mental wellbeing too. Taking on too much can cause spikes in anxiety and stress, which can naturally lead to both substandard work and mental health. Take breaks, do some meditation, go for a walk. If you’re in a co-working office, move desks for new and fresh surroundings. You’re at your best when you’re in a better place mentally, so put a focus on yourself once in a while, and the quality of your work will stand for itself.
Develop a Support System
In the current, fast-paced world we live in, it’s become a necessity to foster some form of support system. Whether it be friends, colleagues, or family members, creating an atmosphere where you feel you have people to lean on, and that have your back, is a great way to stay on top of everything. A network of people there to help you up when you’re down. This works in both your professional and personal lives, and there may even be some overlap between the two groups. You may even be part of someone else’s support system without realising!
Leave Work at Work
This may seem easier said than done, but there must always be a time where your work is over and you can focus on yourself. If you’ve taken some of our other points into consideration, you should be planning your time more effectively and taking breaks to mentally regroup. Taking your work home with you is the biggest contributor to a poor work life balance, so you’ll need to work hard to keep the two separate enough that you can thrive. But it’ll be worth it in the end. We Promise.
We hope we’ve opened your eyes to how managing your work life balance can really help you to become the best version of yourself, both professionally and personally. If you take our steps on board and work at them over time, you’ll see the benefits in not only the work you produce, but also your overall outlook.
If you’re in the market for new and fresh surroundings for your employees, head over to our serviced office spaces and managed offices pages to browse our extensive range of offices!
