Great Ideas to Achieve Work-Life Balance

Here are some practical tips on how you can start managing your time better and finally achieve the best balance between work and life for you.

Prioritise.
You should figure out what you want your priorities to be. Ask yourself if you have to focus on only one thing in your life, what would that be? If you could add a second thing, what would that be?

Your top five priorities may typically include spouse, children, health, religion, career and even travel. When you know what your priorities are, devote your full attention to just one priority at a time. Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time. Leave work at work.

Drop unnecessary activities.
When you have determined what your priorities are, you can then manage your time better and adjust your schedule accordingly. Cut or delegate activities that you do not enjoy and do not have time for.

For example, if you can afford it, pay someone else to manage certain household tasks such as cleaning and doing the laundry.

Also, learn to say no. When you stop doing things out of a false sense of obligation, you will have more time for people who are important to you.

Protect your private time.
Find out if your employer offers flexible working hours. The flexibility can free up some of your time. If your work constantly interferes with your personal time, you should discuss some adjustments with your employer. Prove to your employer that you can deliver the same or better results in fewer hours. The number of working hours that you put in should not be an indicator of how well you are doing your job.

Set aside time each day for an enjoyable activity such as jogging. After a busy workday, take a bath, meditate or read. Try scheduling some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are more relaxing.

Do remember to get enough sleep. When you are sleep-deprived, you are likely to make more mistakes and your productivity declines.

Strengthen your support system.
Always spend some time with your family and friends. These are your ‘support system’ who will get you through times of hardship. Do not hesitate to let them know your problems, as they might even offer a solution that you have not thought about.

Accept babysitting offers from friends and family to get more time alone with your partner or you can arrange a trade-off with another couple – you will watch their children this weekend, and they watch yours next weekend.

Schedule time for recreation and relaxation.
Set aside space in your schedule for some fun and get into the habit of taking time for yourself. Plan ahead, do the necessary arrangements and make sure you keep to your commitment. If it is important for you, you will make time to do it.

Turn off the TV and you may discover many activities that you can do with your family and friends. Try picking up a hobby or a skill that you have always wanted to try. This will help inject variety into your life and you will feel instantly rejuvenated.

Give yourself a pat on the back.
Sometimes, all you need to do is to let yourself bask in your achievements for the day, no matter how small they may be. Help others to do the same too. If you are the type of person who not only get things done, but enjoys the process of getting it done, you will automatically attract positive thinking people to you. They will want you on their team and they will want to be on your team.

There you go... some ideas to achieve work-life balance. Hope this will inspire you at least a little.

Cheers!