Achieving Work-Life Balance While Pursuing Career Goals

During an immersive week, when my to-do list at work and home seemed like a serpentine queue that you see in front of famous monuments on public holidays, someone caught me on a candid moment and asked me – “What is life?” In response, sudden exasperation made me blurt out - “Life, is but a bag of logistics.” This led to some shared chore-led humorous conversation. Then, work priorities took over.

A few days later, on a rare weekend slot when I had the rare luxury to indulge in unadulterated leisure, I got a chance to ruminate over a warm mug of Americano. Life indeed has a way of engulfing you – at times chasing household chores and logistics, and at other times burning the proverbial midnight oil chasing work deadlines. Have you ever dosed off on a tiring work-day evening while typing a to-do list on your phone or ordering groceries from the friendly neighborhood app? Then woke up with a start thinking you forgot one critical action at work (or some material your child needed for school the next day)? Well – if you have – it isn’t that uncommon.

So, what are some of the tips and tricks you could consider that could help you balance your work and life and in parallel pursue your career goals? Consider these tips and strategies below:

Re-evaluate the definition of balance: It is ok to not always be able to balance. Sometimes you need to counter-balance. On days when your life behaves like a novice cyclist, you just need to ensure you are wearing a helmet (read. Build Resilience). On days when your life behaves like a seesaw, you need to use a fresh pair of lenses to see the world from different vantage points (read. Build Perspectives)

Time-lock and use digital and mortal tools: Use Android or Apple tools: Outlook / Google calendar / reminder settings to remind you of tasks that are either critical and material or ones that need to be done but are so boring that you are likely to forget. Block time in your work or personal diary and use that slot to do what needs to be done. Use human partnership: Buddy up with a workmate or a friend and have each other’s back.

Unequivocal candor – with your family, boss, stakeholders, your team, your peers:

• Talk to your managers and leaders about what you want to see happen.
• Don’t wait for permission – engage stakeholders to create psychological ownership and support, but you yourself should take strides to make it happen for you.
• Be your own cheerleader, be your own greatest critic – but also be kind to yourself.
• Don’t take life and world too seriously – enjoy the ride - shed the stoic stance.
• Have fire in the belly, but also humour in your quiver.

So, in summary my fellow women professionals, my advice to you is - Take Charge | simplify and delegate where possible – use technology or lean in on your tribe for support | don’t try to be a superbeing – it is ok to be overwhelmed but take time out to recharge.

Your life is not a financial market dealing room that needs to churn daily balance sheets. Your balance sheet of life will balance – push for it periodically – but don’t expect it to balance every day.