Actionable steps for when you’re overwhelmed
Life-work balance is a delicate equilibrium that can mean different things to different people. It can be changeable in different roles or organizations or at different phases in your career and personal life. When you’re in the thick of things, it can be difficult to find a tangible path towards better balance, but it's essential to establish boundaries and prioritize our well-being so that we can put our best foot forward all round.
At pg, we are passionate about doing the work that unlocks personal and professional growth, that’s why we created our course - Life-Work Balance: Navigating Meaning and Boundaries. If you are looking to gain practical strategies and tactics to create harmony between your professional and personal life, while pursuing a fulfilling and purpose-driven career, consider taking the full course.
If you are looking for some immediate actions, this article explores some options for you.
Although we usually shudder at the term ‘quick wins’, because, let's face it, it’s often thrown out in a power dynamic, like by a client or a boss who are looking for you to achieve things that take deep effort and are certainly not 'quick'. In this article, we explore actual quick wins that can help you regain control of your time, set boundaries, and create a healthier life-work balance.
Actionable life-work balance tips:
Limiting Notifications: One of the major culprits of life-work imbalance is the constant bombardment of notifications. To regain control, consider removing work-related notifications from your personal phone. If that's not feasible, start small by setting your status to let people know you're focusing and need uninterrupted time. By minimizing distractions, you can reclaim your personal space and reduce stress.
Owning Your Time: Take charge of your calendar and establish dedicated focus time. Block out specific periods for deep work, where you can concentrate without interruptions. When scheduling meetings or responding to requests, be mindful of your existing commitments and don't be afraid to push back when necessary. By valuing and protecting your time, you can maintain productivity and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Embrace the Art of "Good Enough": As we discuss in our post ‘Why good enough is better than perfect’, perfectionism can be a major obstacle to achieving life-work balance. Recognizing that striving for perfection in every task is neither realistic nor necessary can help us to focus on completing work to a satisfactory level rather than wasting time and energy that doesn’t yield enough value. Our post ‘Living that GEMO lifestyle' offers a pragmatic guide of how to put this into practice.
Reflection and Self-Care: It's crucial to reflect on your own behavior and mindset when it comes to life-work balance. Beware of falling into the trap of martyrdom or constantly sacrificing your well-being for work. Take a step back and assess whether you're staying in your lane or taking on too much. Engage in serious self-reflection to identify your priorities, set boundaries, and make intentional choices that align with your values. Our course Life-Work Balance: Navigating Meaning and Boundaries offers a deeper look and practical strategies into how to achieve this.
Identify Time Thieves and Boundary Stompers: Recognize the individuals who consistently encroach upon your time and boundaries. These "time thieves" and "boundary stompers" may unknowingly contribute to your life-work imbalance. Set clear expectations with them and communicate your availability and boundaries. It's essential to assertively protect your time and ensure that others respect your need for balance.
Accountability and Support: Hold yourself accountable for maintaining life-work balance. Identify strategies or tools that can help you stay on track, such as time management apps, productivity techniques, or setting personal goals. Additionally, consider seeking external accountability by sharing your goals and progress with a trusted friend, mentor, or colleague. Having someone to hold you accountable can significantly increase your commitment to achieving life-work balance. If this is something you are struggling with, feel free to connect with us. We can support you in this space.
Create Clarity Through Consistency: Consistency is key to establishing a healthy life-work balance. For example, if you consistently take your lunch break as personal time, others will begin to respect and recognize that period as sacred. By setting a routine and adhering to it, you build healthy habits and communicate your boundaries effectively. Consistency provides clarity to both yourself and those around you, contributing to better life-work integration.
Pg takeaway:
Creating life-work balance requires intentional effort and a commitment to prioritize your well-being. By implementing these actionable tips you can regain control of your life and cultivate a fulfilling life-work balance. While not all of these actions may be feasible for your role or organizational culture, use them as a starting point to explore what is possible and right for you. Remember, your availability isn’t a direct reflection on your credibility or your talent and value. By taking charge of your time and setting boundaries you are empowering yourself to be your best.
Want to take this work further?
Consider taking our course Life-Work Balance: Navigating Meaning and Boundaries that equips you with strategies and pragmatic steps to attaining the life-work balance that looks right for you.
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