Getting Your Life Back: 5 Ways To Improve Your Work/Life Balance

(image source)

Remember when you actually had a life outside of work? Those halcyon days when you didn’t have to go beyond those 9 to 5 hours, when you weren’t buried under paperwork, and when you actually had time to spend with the kids as the cool dad, and not that tired old grumpy guts you are in danger of becoming. Does that sound familiar to you? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many of us are feeling the strain because of the limitations and pressures of work.

So what do you do about it? Quitting your job is one answer, but that isn’t so easy when you work as your own boss, or you are dependant on a continual income. Instead, here are some practical solutions to improving the quality of your life.

1. Don’t take your work home with you

Admittedly, this is difficult if you work from home, though the same rule applies. Set boundaries and learn to switch off. Turn off your work phone, leave paperwork on the desk, and don’t be tempted to check your work email. You will never get out of work mode otherwise.

2. Work harder at work

Whatever you do in the day, do it well, and do it in a timely manner. If you’re sat at your desk all day falling prey to distractions, you are never going to finish your work in time, and that might necessitate you bringing it back home. So, sort yourself out, cut out ‘lazy time,’ and if you have a boss that likes giving you extra work, tell him to back off in the nicest way possible, and tell him you need a break.

3. Delegate to others

This may not be possible if you’re working ‘for the man,’ but as your own boss, you may have people working under or with you that can take on board some of your tasks. Alternatively, if you are working alone, consider hiring somebody to take on HR jobs or some other such position that will make your day-to-day life a heck of a lot easier.

4. Learn how to say NO!

When your boss asks you to take on an extra task, say NO. When a client asks you to meet after your designated work hours, say NO. When you are tempted to spend an extra hour in the office to start tomorrow’s work early, tell yourself NO. By following this principle, you will be able to say YES when your kids want to have some fun with you, and YES when your partner wants to cuddle up on the sofa with you in the evening.

5. Be ‘appy!

Technology is great, especially when it comes to apps on your smartphone or tablet. There is an app for everything these days, and this is especially useful for that work/life situation. By using one of these apps, you can streamline your workload, prioritize your time, and organize your calendar. You really will cut down your workload by half if you use them.

Finally

By following these simple ideas, you should be able to improve your work/life balance almost immediately. You will get to spend more time your kids, have extra time to relax, and no reason not to visit your in-laws! On second thoughts, maybe you do need to return to the office, after all!