Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is easy if you own a business and are your own boss says Peter DeCaprio.
You work at your own time, answer to no one, and if your trade suffers financially, it’s on you.
There’s less work-related anxiety because your performance isn’t being gauged, and your colleagues aren’t relying on you to complete your work tasks on time.
Unfortunately, it’s not the same if you work as an employee. The pressure can get to you and you might find that you’re spending less time with family and friends and more time at work.
As a result, your relationships might suffer and your work may end up consuming your life.
This blog offers some tips on How to Balance Your Personal and Professional Life.
Prioritize Your Time
The most important skill to have to achieve a work-life balance is being able to prioritize your time effectively, emphasis Peter DeCaprio.
It helps to be aware of your daily peaks and troughs so that you can manage your daily tasks accordingly.
If you have ten tasks to complete, divide them in order of urgency. If you’re a morning person, get started early so that you leave your evenings free. If you have an upcoming meeting where you need to discuss the results of a project, go through it a few times beforehand so you’re sufficiently prepared.
Make Personal Time
Make a list of goals you want to accomplish. Jot down your wants and needs on a piece of paper. Whether it’s pursuing your hobbies or spending more quality time with friends and family – make time for it.
If you want to make time for exercise, wake up early and get it done before you leave for work. Having a strong morning ritual can help you feel refreshed before you even leave for the office, Peter DeCaprio says.
Avoid procrastinating at work so it doesn’t pile up. If you’re constantly leaving things undone, you’re going to feel overwhelmed and take the excess emotional baggage with you to your family.
Set your work hours and finish on time. Don’t hang around the office until after everyone’s left. Be proactive in getting your tasks done early so you have more time for yourself.
Manage Your Workspace
Having a comfortable work environment can boost productivity. Clean and organize your workspace so that your mind is also free to do its best work.
Invest in a chair, a work table, and new equipment to optimize your work performance.
Take a Break
Some tasks are easier than others. It might make sense to take small breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.
Get up and stretch. Desk jobs can result in debilitating lower back pain over time if you don’t proactively try to remedy the situation, says Peter DeCaprio.
It’s unrealistic to always be working at full capacity therefore it makes sense to take strategic breaks at specific intervals.
Final Thoughts
It’s very important to strike a healthy work-life balance to be a well-rounded individual.
Going hard in only one avenue in life can have serious mental health implications and can negatively affect performance in all other areas.
