5 Ways to Improve Your Work Life Balance
What does balance look like to you? Do you have the same routine every day or does it look completely different down to each second? We all have the same hours in the day, but we all somehow have altered what that time means to us.
Before launching my own brand, I remember dreading the workday that was ahead of me and wishing I had more time to do what I felt drawn to. Am I alone in this? There are countless moments that I told myself “I need to open my space for more”, but it is actually all about changing my perspective. Let’s view work and the life we want to build as a unified lifestyle and not from opposite sides of the spectrum.
Here are some tips that I have incorporated in my daily routine to improve on this:
1. Setting a schedule - time management
- Whether you are a stay-at-home parent or a work from home 9-5’er, time management plays a big part in your work life. Setting a schedule for myself visually and writing down my goals for the day has helped tremendously. The soulwork planner helps give myself an allotted amount of time to execute the tasks listed and holds me accountable!
- I noticed a big game changer was making mornings as a personal time for myself to relax before getting lost in the day ahead. I set aside a few minutes in the morning to actually enjoy my breakfast and read something new. Find your time.
2. Cutting off work at a certain hour (unplug)
- Adjusting your schedule daily to ensure your mental and physical health is taken into account is so important. Unplugging is often a hard task to do living in a world that is constantly plugged in, but it’s the only way to fully be in the present. Breaking up your daily tasks by time and priority will gradually enhance the efficiency of your work.
- Tell yourself when your workday has come to an end and end it there. If the project can be completed later without negative repercussions, then save it for tomorrow. If the emails can be responded to later, then close the tab. Tell yourself “I have done enough” and then live out the rest of your evening for other important things in your life.
3. Customize your workspace to your liking
- Invest in equipment or little decorations that would make your workspace radiate the energy you would like to be surrounded by. See what type of items are available to increase productivity and get that creative energy flowing.
- Spending time in an environment that feels comfortable and inviting will not only help you see work in a different light but challenge you to change things up and enjoy what you do more.
4. Letting go of perfection
- As we learn more about our ideal life and the version of ourselves we look up to, we learn that being perfect doesn’t exist. Releasing the fear of failure is an important step into seeing the value in what you are doing already so you don’t overwork yourself.
- Moving closer to what you envision for yourself in your personal life and work life can coincide with each other and drive this new wave of attaining what you want while falling in love with the process. When we move forward and let go of comparison, we will be able to create a life that breaks the stigma of work now, play later.
5. Limiting distractions and setting boundaries
- In order to accomplish something, you have to put enough effort in to see the results come to fruition. Adjusting your priorities, shifting your focus, clearing your mind, and setting your boundaries with yourself and others will push you to the next level.
- Surrounding yourself with like-minded people that share similar goals and following through with what you set out to do early on will create a better foundation. In return, it will open opportunities to do more of what you truly enjoy doing and help spread your time evenly.