On some days, the pressure to be the Superman or Superwoman is unbearable. The world has sold us the idea that we can navigate between life, work and family without breaking a sweat. While everything is possible, one needs to create the right balance without letting one or the other suffer. Your professional ambitions don’t have to imply personal sacrifices.
You can achieve a healthy work & family balance.
Here are some ways to keep your life in check without choosing your job over your family and vice-versa:
Always have a plan
Don’t begin your day without a schedule. Having a plan will ensure you have the time to attend to everything on your schedule without forgetting anything.
A schedule gives you an idea on how the day will turn out. Set some realistic goals for each day and try to stick to the schedule. Dedicate a specific time for each activity so as to cover as much as possible within 24 hours.
Planning your day gives you the opportunity to organize your working time better and avoid working overtime. It may take time for you to get used to planners as they can be easily forgotten but the idea of dividing your working time to get more family time should keep you going.
Don’t work overtime if you don’t have to
Staying up later than necessary at the office should not be a daily occurrence if you have a family to go home to. If you have a demanding job, let your boss know that you are available for work only during the working hours. Staying after work to do something that can wait or something that isn’t even your job should be unacceptable when you have things to do.
Don’t be afraid to admit you are tired
We all want to be seen as strong but it is okay to get tired. Sometimes, give yourself a break and take some me time for yourself. Renew your strength when you can because juggling multiple things is not easy.
Start your morning focused on your health
A healthy meal keeps you super charged and ready to undergo the day’s journey. Besides having a healthy meal, consider exercising or meditating in the morning. Any type of physical activities in the morning could give you more energy to get through the day and contribute to a more balanced lifestyle.
Share home responsibilities
Being with an understanding partner who understands the responsibilities you have will go a long way in relieving stress off you. Finding balance in your family life requires the participation of the entire family. Make sure to share the chores with your partner and kids, if they are old enough to help you. You can use the same principle at your workplace and ask your co-workers for help if you feel overwhelmed.
Plan vacations and family weekend trips ahead
Schedule the exact dates of traveling and announce them to your boss weeks before you hit the road. These trips will keep you motivated to finish all the work before you travel and give you a proper relaxation you deserve.
Delegate when you can
If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to delegate when you can. Conserve your strength for things that need your total attention. Spend quality time with your family and leave the rest for those who can be paid to do it.
Eliminate things that don’t matter
Instead of sitting at meeting you don‘t really gain anything from, use that time to engage in bonding sessions with your colleagues or family. A balanced life means you throw out the things taking your time while you focus on the more important things.
Use the technology at your fingertips
Technological development has made everything easy. Nowadays, you can use the Internet to shop for literally anything. Instead of spending hours at a supermarket, you can have your groceries delivered to your doorstep.
You can also use the Internet to pay for your bills and avoid long queues. The Internet offers lots of options for families to have fun – from recommending stunning places in your area to amusing family films available for online streaming, which is more than convenient when you don’t have time to go to a cinema.
Forgive yourself when you fail
You are permitted to have some bad days. Don’t beat yourself over it. When you fail at being the perfect spouse or parent, forgive yourself and see the new day as an opportunity to do better.
Make a balanced work and home life your long-term mission and start with small steps. No one expects life to be perfect but it can be close.
What small step will you take today?
Leave a Reply