In our busy world most people struggle to find balance with work, family and leisure time. These 10 tips can help you achieve a better balance in your life
1. Negotiate a Change with Your Current Employer. Good employers value good employees and many are willing to help employees deal with short-term or permanent changes in family situations. Employment changes may include: flextime, job-sharing, telecommuting or part-time employment. First, research your employer’s policies and ways they handled previous requests. Then go to your boss armed with information and a plan to show that you will be more valuable and productive if you can modify your work situation.
2. Find a New Career. Some careers are more stressful and time-consuming than others. It may be time to explore a career that is less stressful and more flexible.
3. Find a New Job. Perhaps you simply need a less stressful job within your current career. This may mean working with your current employer to identify a new position. Or, it may involve temping, becoming a consultant, or starting a freelance or other home-based business.
4. Slow Down. Take steps to enjoy the things and people around you. Schedule more time between meetings. Don’t make plans for every evening or weekend. Find ways to distance yourself from things that cause you the most stress.
5. Improve Time Management and Avoid Procrastination. Stress often comes from being disorganized and procrastinating. Learn to set more realistic goals and deadlines — and then stick to them! You will be less stressed and work better.
6. Share the Load. Get your partner or other family members to help with home responsibilities. Taking care of the house, children or parents should not be just one person’s responsibility.
7. Let Things Go. Learn to let things go once in a while. So what if the dishes don’t washed everyday or that the house doesn’t get vacuumed every week. Learn to recognize things that don’t have much impact and allow yourself to let them go. Then do not beat yourself up for doing so.
8. Get Help. If you feel overwhelmed by family responsibilities, look for things that may help. Find a sitter for your children, explore options for aging parents and seek counseling for yourself. In many cases, options for help are available, but you need to take the time to find them.
9. Take Charge. Set Priorities. Sometimes it’s easier to feel overwhelmed rather than take charge and prioritize things that need to get done. Develop a list. Set priorities. Then enjoy the satisfaction of crossing things off your list.
10. Simplify. We all seem to take on too much responsibility, do too much and own too much. Find a way to simplify your life. Say no to requests for help. Get rid of clutter and baggage in your house — and your life.
In the end, the key is finding the right balance that works for you. Celebrate your successes and don’t dwell on your failures. Life is a process, and so is striving for balance in your life.
If you want to develop skills to improve your work-life balance, request an appointment with an iTherapy counselor today.
