Finding your work-life balance is about establishing the right prioritisation between our work and non-work responsibilities and activities. Too often, I hear people getting frustrated because they can’t get equal balance. For them, it is too unpredictable as one week it is all work while the next week they get overwhelmed with family responsibilities. They are searching for an unachievable ‘equal’ balance.
Workplace culture feeds into this. In the UK, workplace cultures are becoming more demanding and seem to be asking us for more time and commitment. Even when the company we work for does not explicitly request this. In fact, most will have very clear work-life balance and well-being at work policies.
The Work-Life Balance Trap
However, workplace culture isn’t the only factor. We all develop a range of habits which negatively affect our work-life balance. We get too caught up in work and lose sight of the important things in life, like family, social life, friends and leisure time.
We need to remember that work-life balance is not about achieving the perfect and equal balance. It is about making sure we have sufficient high quality leisure and social activities to help us relax, unwind and de-stress.
It is up to each one of us to avail of the many opportunities for a gd work-life balance and to say no to staying too long at work. The person who finds a good balance will actually be way more productive.
It’s Not Easy
Finding your work-life balance is not easy. There are so many things in our modern lives calling for our attention. Children are far more active at a much younger age and need transport to their various activities. Our smartphones, tablets and laptops are forever beeping, demanding our attention all the time.
Remember, nobody ever said on their deathbed “I wish I spent more time at the office”.
We need to find the balance. Watch the video to hear about the steps I took personally to find some balance.
