The term "balance" implies that there are opposing forces in play, each trying to pull in opposite directions.
In this case, those forces are namely, well, your workplace (virtual or real) and your personal life.
Now, if you don't know what you're seeking to accomplish, both personally and professionally, it's easy to sink to the level of overworking and soon enough, you might even start to struggle with seeing beyond your work.
This is an indication that you need to consciously decide how you want to spend your life with the limited amount of time you have and strike a balance between what will make you feel productive at work and what will enrich your personal experience in life.
Why Even Achieve A Work-Life Balance?
Having a work-life balance will enable you to be more productive and healthy and also, less likely to be affected by burnout.
In addition to that, when you achieve a work-life balance, there are a number of things you’ll be able to do a number of things, including but not limited to:
- Have more control over your life
- Feel a sense of accomplishment/fulfillment
- Maximize output in every area of your life
- Improve your productivity
- Tackle conflicts with ease
- Maintain healthy relationships
- Organize your life around the more meaningful things
How To Achieve a Work-Life Balance?
In case you are close to a burnout and are looking to push yourself towards a better and healthier work-life balance, there are a number of things to consider and do.
Here are 3 great tips you can follow on the road to that balance! (because it's been a long road....getting from there to here.....)
Assessment Of Your Current State
First of all, you should look at the whole range of activities that currently fill your life, as some of them may slowly be burning you out, without you even realizing it.
Make a list of your current frequent activities and map out your mental state, in order to have an idea of exactly where you are, mentally.
The first step to take towards a healthy work-life balance, is to actually acknowledge that you’re out of it!
Set Boundaries
If you’ve come to realize that you are not in an ideally balanced state and are declining towards a burnout, it is time to set some boundaries!
In the current world where many people work from their laptops, this becomes even more relevant.
If that is the case for you, try and make self-agreements, such as:
- “I will stop working at 5 p.m”
- “I will only work as much as I need to today”
- “I will take frequent breaks throughout my workday”
Nevertheless, you have to acknowledge that there will be exceptions even to those self-agreements, so be prepared for them mentally!
Let Go & Take Time
A big part of the disbalance comes from the fact that even after we’re done working and have left the office (or closed the laptop), the stress from work lingers on in our heads.
For this reason it is very important to recognize those moments and thoughts and let go of them, until it’s time to be mentally involved with work, yet again.
Additionally, you should take some time each day to meditate over your current state and achieve that balance we’re talking about, internally.
Remember that it all starts on the inside!
Reminder & Final Thoughts
Last but not least, keep reminding yourself that you don’t live to work, you work so that you can live.
You work to live your life to the fullest, whether that means spending time on your favorite interests, hobbies, family or friends.
As the former Vice Chairman and COO of Coca-Cola, Brain Dyson reminds us with the quote:
“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends, and spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls are made of glass. If you drip one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”
If this quote hits home then set your priorities right and always remember what it is you are working and striving for!
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