Tips To Embrace Work-life Balance During Work From Home
Like in developing new habits, achieving and maintaining work-life balance requires time and dedication. At times, you may find yourself committing more time to one thing than the other, but the goal is to find a healthy balance that works best for you. There are many different strategies for achieving a healthy work-life balance, including:
1. Limit nonessential activities.
2. Learn when to say “no.”
3. Establish boundaries and unplug.
4. Consider your schedule.
5. Communicate your needs.
1. Limit nonessential activities
It can be tempting to engage in activities that limit the amount of time you have to work on more productive tasks without even realizing it, such as checking personal email, browsing social media and surfing the Internet. To better prioritize your time at work, consider doing an assessment of your daily activities to determine which are least productive. Minimizing how much time you spend on these activities can have a positive impact on your productivity and well-being.
2. Learn when to say “no”
It can be challenging to say “no,” especially when you’re saying it to your boss or supervisor. However, learning when to say “no” can be essential to your work-life balance. When your answer is always “yes” to a task or project, you may start to feel overwhelmed by your increasing workload, which could result in stress and reduced productivity. To avoid this, evaluate your schedule and make sure there’s room before taking on additional work. If you don’t think you can take on another task, explain why to your boss and thank them for considering you.
3. Establish boundaries and unplug
Modern technology has made it possible for employees to remain connected to their work through their mobile phones and computers. While this allows employers to offer flexible work schedules, it also means employees are accessible 24-hours-a-day, often taking work home or checking emails after normal business hours rather than waiting until they get back to work the next day. It’s important to establish boundaries on your availability after hours and leave work at the office. Try to avoid checking work emails while you’re at home and only respond to anything that can’t wait until the next day.
4. Consider your schedule
The key to improving your work-life balance is making sure there’s enough space for both in your schedule. Revisit your schedule and make sure you have enough time to take care of your work obligations while also being able to recharge. Using a calendar will help keep you on track so your work doesn’t extend into your personal or family time.
5. Communicate your needs
Having open communication with your manager is key to achieving work-life balance. If you’re struggling with balancing your work and personal life, be honest with your manager and voice your needs. If you need to adjust your schedule or redistribute your workload, disclose those concerns and discuss possible solutions for managing your priorities.
