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5 Essentials to Create a Good Work-Life Balance
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 11 Sept 2017
A good work life balance seems elusive to a lot of us. So how do you get it right?
We all have a different definition of what that balance looks like, so it is a very personal thing. It certainly isn’t about an equal 50/50 split between work and personal life.
The key thing, is to ensure that neither area of your life starts negatively impacting on the other – when it does, that is when levels of dissatisfaction creep in and stress levels go up as you try to keep everyone happy.
Getting the right balance is key so here are my top tips:
- Boundaries
- In our 24/7 culture where everyone expects us to constantly be accessible at all times, put your boundaries in place.
- If you promise family members you will finish work at a certain time, don’t then sneak off to do a few more emails later in the evening!
- If you need to work outside of ‘normal’ hours then a conversation with loved ones as to how long you will be keeps things in an acceptable range.
- If you won’t be accessing work emails during certain time periods, put an ‘out of office’ message on so people know when they are likely to hear back from you. That way you won’t get 4 emails chasing you for a reply.
- Communication
- Be fully present with whatever you are doing or whomever you are with. If you spend your time thinking about other things rather than what you are meant to be focusing on in the moment, your thinking and decision making loses clarity and focus.
- People know if you are not interested in them or what they are saying and that is how relationships fracture. You can’t ‘demand’ people do things for you either in work or your personal life, so develop great communication and engagement skills.
- Organisation
- Be organised and develop your time management skills so things don’t drop between the cracks. Check emails at certain times. Your inbox is not a thing to be dipped into frequently like your favourite bag of sweets! It distracts you from what ever else you are working on or doing, which will then take twice as long to complete.
- Keep a written ‘to do list’. Holding everything in your head just overloads your brain and depletes the resource you need for clear thinking. Write it down!
- Personal Health and Energy
- Get plenty of exercise, even a brisk walk at lunchtime will raise your endorphin levels, your body’s natural happy hormones that will help counter balance any stress chemicals.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Caffeine and sugar will give you an instant energy serge but you will crash back down just as quickly, so replace the bar of chocolate or coffee with a handful of nuts and a herbal or green tea. Everything in moderation is the thing to keep in mind.
- Make Time
- Make time for family and friends, laughter and fun. Find hobbies that interest you and help you to switch off from your ‘to do list’.
- Rest and relaxation are essential ingredients for you to recharge. Your body heals and regenerates when you sleep so make sure you get 7 to 8 hours in a night.
Glassdoor Team
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Tags:Informed CandidateWork-Life Balance
