Sarah Rebecca De Borja

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: FIVE WAYS TO REGAIN CONTROL OF YOUR TIME “Even the lady boss who hustles needs a break.” – Nicole Albrecht. Work-life balance is a term that many of us easily grasp but can be difficult to achieve. We’ve all had the experience of pressures piling up on one side of the work-life balance and taking over our days. Whether working at home, remotely or in a traditional office setting, achieving work-life balance is something we all aim for. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME While a certain level of stress is necessary to motivate us and help us perform at our best, the secret to stress management is that one magic word: BALANCE. There is no unified, agreed-upon definition of work-life balance (Kalliath & Brough, 2008). However, the overall opinion is that life is divided into (at least) two domains: work and personal. Both demand attention and effort, but not at the expense of one another. How can you organize your time and energy such that you feel fulfilled and involved as a functioning adult? How can you perform at your highest possible level? Read on; I have practical tips for you! MANAGE YOUR TIME You should keep a consistent schedule, just as you would if you worked from an office. A fixed timetable can support you in creating a steady work and off-work routine, as well as limiting the number of hours you work. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME Adjust your hours to meet your workday better if you find yourself working outside of your schedule regularly. You won’t have to work as many hours each day this way. SELF-CARE To cope with stress and achieve a work-life balance, you need to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthily, get enough sleep, and incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME Make time for hobbies you enjoy, such as yoga, gardening, or reading, regularly. Hobbies can help you unwind, divert your attention away from work, and replenish your batteries. You can also discover activities you can do with your partner, family, or friends, such as hiking, dancing, or attending cooking classes, to name a few. SET BOUNDARIES Learn to say NO. Assess your priorities at work and home, and make an effort to reduce the length of your to-do list. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME Cut or outsource activities you don’t enjoy or can’t handle. You’ll be surprised how much time you have for activities that are significant to you if you stop taking tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Mindfulness is the ability to keep consciousness of what you’re doing in the present moment. Clearly, if you are distracted by other obligations and concerns, this won’t be easy. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME It helps at work if you are given the freedom to manage your personal obligations while also completing your share of the workload. It’s called BALANCE. Of course, you must have the support of your team when you need it. GET HELP Most career-driven people are guilty of taking on too much responsibility. They don’t want to “annoy” anyone by asking for assistance. It can be linked to feelings of obligation (“Who else will do it if I don’t?”) or identity (“I’m supposed to be the one who has it all together”). WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME Instead, consider how asking for help provides others the gift of giving–as well as the opportunity to be a part of a solution and support system, which strengthens mutual relationships for everyone involved. Work-life and balance is not an end-game; it’s a process. Along the way, you will meet unfamiliar circumstances that will try to ruin your routine. But don’t take it negatively. These will always be an opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone. WORK-LIFE-BALANCE-FIVE-WAYS-TO-RE-GAIN-CONTROL-OF-YOUR-TIME So, adapt to learning and adjusting. Just make sure that what you are doing is what makes you happy! And don’t forget to check your priorities regularly. See what’s changed and whether they still align with how you’re spending your time and energy.