How to achieve work-life balance?

We’ve all heard the expression “work-life balance”. But, is there really such a thing? We are living faster than ever, we are more accessible than ever, and (maybe even as a consequence), we have more issues than ever. And, yet, this is undeniably the best era to be alive! We often get asked how to achieve work-life balance. Hopefully, this article will help you out or at least give you some ideas about the phrase.

What is “work-life balance”?

First of all, what is work-life balance? Is there even such a thing? What is “balance” to you? My balance doesn’t have to be the same as your balance. I could work 14 hours a day, sleep 6, and spend the rest with my family. And I can be 100% sure that I am balancing my work and personal life perfectly.

On the other hand, you could work 8 hours a day, sleep 8, spend 2 hours with friends, and the rest with your family. And you could feel like you still have to figure out how to balance your work life and personal life.

To learn more about the impact of the work-life balance, check out this article on mental health.

Perception is KEY

Do you see what I mean? Different people will have different understandings of the phrase “work-life balance.”

Without a doubt, it is all about perception, self-awareness, and inner desires. No one can tell you what the right way of balancing things for you is. Each individual is responsible for themself.

If you are 100% OK with yourself, you will find it easy to balance work and life. You should talk to your spouse and family members and be very clear on your needs, desires, and goals. If you feel the urge to work long hours, share it with those who are close to you. See if they are okay with it. Compensate over the weekend when you will not work at all. If they love you and respect you, if they understand who you are at your very core, they will be supportive. And then, you will not have any issues and you will be in perfect balance.

Peeping Toms

People around you like your neighbors, for example, are another story. But, who cares about others? If you and your family are happy with the arrangement, don’t let anyone impose their opinion on you. Do not let them trick you into doubting yourself – you already know how to balance work and life, and it is working beautifully for you and your personal life.

Nevertheless, if you only work the usual 7-8 hours a day and you think you should balance work and life, it’s time you looked in the mirror. Clearly, you are not happy with the job and this needs to be addressed, without a doubt.

In cases when you are going through something, you should talk to your manager, direct supervisor, and/or colleagues. If you need more family time or personal time, be vocal about it. No one should force you to work if you have other things on your mind that are potentially life-altering.

Remember – what works for you is the only thing that matters. Don’t waste too much time on things that don’t matter to you, and focus on those that do.

For more interesting topics on the work environment, career development, and much more, visit our Blog page.

If you feel like work is too much and you need a change, then the first step would be to see what’s out there. However, to be ready to apply to new jobs, you need to update your CV and ensure it’s good to go. Learn how to write CVs like a pro with our step-by-step writing guide that you can get here and see how it transforms your job search.

Alternatively, use the form below and contact us if you want us to do it for you.

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