Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1427282
Work-Life Balance: e Bottom Line In the end, everyone must choose what habits and adjustments they need to make to create a better balance between work and life. Whether you're working at home or in the office, have a family or live alone, there are ways to make things easier. Take stock of what you're currently doing and the things you want to do. Then, determine how you can make the first list more closely match the second. You're worth it. Remember, You Don't Need To Be Perfect Allowing perfect to be the enemy of good or done can limit you from creating a work-life balance. It's okay if you only worked your shift and didn't go above and beyond by taking on the offered overtime. It's also okay that you bought cupcakes for the birthday party instead of making them from scratch—no one is going to mind. Letting go of perfectionism can free you to enjoy your life more. You may want to do a good job for others and make them proud, but remember to take pride in knowing when, where, and how to put yourself first. Set & Communicate Limits Your work matters, of course, but so does the rest of your life. Allowing the workday to spill over doesn't serve anyone well. It affects your attitude, fuels burnout, and prevents you from partaking in activities you love, which can make you resentful. Prioritize setting hours for work and implementing boundaries. Communicate your limits, avoid overscheduling, and learn to say "no" when appropriate. Doing this helps you stay on track professionally and offers the opportunity to disconnect and appreciate your personal life. Minimize Screentime It's easy to zone out on your phone, computer, or TV for hours on end. Unfortunately, not only can too much screentime be bad for your health, but it can also keep you from sustaining a good work-life balance. Even though it may be tough, unplugging for a while can free you up to run errands, have fun, or finish a project—anything that contributes to using your personal or work more purposefully. Instead of using your phone, put it in a drawer for 30 minutes and read a book. Try calling your colleague to chat about your to-dos for the day instead of typing out an email. Rather than watching a TV show, go outside and tend to your garden or lawn. By grounding yourself in non-electronics-based activities, you're able to reset, detach, and focus on the present. You'll find a renewed determination for what's important to you, too. Rethink Habits Part of what you do each day is out of necessity, but another part is out of habit. If you've formed habits that aren't beneficial to you or keep you from finding a healthy balance, you might need to do some soul-searching. Changing your day can increase productivity and freedom. Do you automatically check your email every time it pings? Set a schedule and vow only to check your inbox once an hour. Does your weekly grocery shopping trip induce stress? Consider using a pick-up or home delivery service. With some small adjustments, you can get more done and explore other pursuits. Building new habits takes patience, but it can be well worth the effort for better balance. 27 Balancing your work life and personal life isn't always easy. However, maintaining that balance really matters. A work-life balance is designed to make sure you not only perform your best at work, but also enjoy your downtime at home. Rest and play are important parts of self-care, and doing things to foster your well-being is just as valuable as anything you'd do for an employer. While achieving a healthy work-life balance can be difficult, it's possible—and should be a guilt-free endeavor. Here's what you can do to find a better balance while reducing regret.