Work Life Balance can often feel like an elusive goal that we strive toward but never actually reach, but as the great John Lennon once said, “life is what happens when you are busy making plans.”
Wellbeing and balance in life are not a destination, but a journey…. it is the actions you take along your journey that make you feel the way you feel. Wellbeing does not come about by being happy all the time, it is about understanding what makes you happy and making sure you incorporate that into your life.
The struggle to achieve work/life balance is prevalent not just with business owners, but with almost anyone trying to navigate work and life in this modern age. So, we’ve compiled some of our best tips and advice into this guide to get you on the path to a more balanced, healthier you.
Here Brett Burden talks about the basics of work life balance:
First things First….
There are some basics that you need to make sure are in place as a solid foundation to start with:
- Are you eating well?
- Are you sleeping ok?
- Are you getting some regular exercise?
These might be stating the obvious, but you can’t build a solid house without a solid foundation.
The other important factor that you are going to need here is self-discipline, as it will be very difficult to achieve balance and control in your life without mastering your own actions, knowing what makes you tick, and what makes you happy.
So with that in mind, here is our top 10 list of actions to improve your work / life balance:
- Take some time for yourself in the morning
It’s great to spend some mindful time each day doing something you enjoy and just being in the moment. Whether it’s a walk with the dog, a cup of tea in the sunshine, or 10 minutes of mindful meditation, doing something just for yourself is a great way to centre yourself for the day ahead.
- Be a good delegator
It’s important to recognize that whilst there are some tasks that must be done by you, there are others that can be delegated. Many hands make light work, and for the sake of your sanity it’s important to share the load. This includes getting the kids to help around the house and do their chores so it doesn’t all end up on mum and dad’s plate at the end of the day!
It’s also important at work to communicate if your workload is excessive, and get the support to make sure you have the resources to delegate effectively. More on Delegation here.
- Put problems into perspective
When a problem arises it can be helpful to ask yourself - is this really an big issue? How will this problem affect me in a months time… or in 6 months time? Sometimes issues can seem overwhelming until we take a step back and get some perspective.
- Take a break
It’s a known fact that taking regular breaks during your work day improves productivity and wellbeing, but few of us manage to do it consistently. Find a nice spot somewhere near your office and go for a 10 minute walk at the same time each day. Set an alarm if you need to! Your body will thank you for it.
- Foster connection
According to Beyond Blue[1], strong ties with family, friends and the community provide people with happiness, security, support and a sense of purpose. Research shows that being connected to others is important for mental wellbeing and can be a protective factor against anxiety and depression. So it’s a great idea to talk to your family during the day and make a habit of connecting to those people close to you.
- Have transitional rituals
Being able to transition out of stress or out of work into your home environment can make a big difference to your wellbeing. Fatigue and stress can fuel the tendency to ruminate on a problem or on the stresses of the day; a mental break helps us leave the bad mood behind. Your ritual can be anything that makes you happy and gives you a mental break – from playing your favourite music on the drive home, going for a walk, reading a book on the train or even playing candy crush.
7. Cultivate caring self talk
8. Engage in fun and energizing activities
There is nothing better than having a laugh and doing something fun at the end of a long day at work. Even though there are always things to do around the house, probably dinner to make, and kids to help with homework, it’s important to schedule in some fun time. So whether that’s shooting some hoops in the backyard with the kids, or perhaps all taking the dog for a walk, some energizing fun time is good for the soul.
- Relax and Recharge
To balance out all your energetic work and fun time, don’t forget to take some time at the end of the day to relax and recharge. This may be a cup of tea before bed, a cuddle on the couch with the cat, or your favourite human. You may also like to keep a gratitude journal, to help cultivate your own awareness by being mindful of the moment.
- Make meaning out of what you do – identify what purpose you are serving.
It’s part of human nature to need a purpose in life, and to have purpose in what we are doing day to day. Always look for the positive in situations and if you aren’t happy with your job, your career, your life, then you can take steps to change it. It’s important to be true to yourself and behave authentically in both work and life, to maintain true wellbeing.
If you would like to know more or could use help with your planning and time management within your business, contact us at Action Centre. We have a host of workshops that can help, which you can view HERE.
You’ll find having an Action Centre business coach is just like having a marketing manager, sales team leader, trainer and recruitment specialist - wrapped in one - all for one nominal investment. We are the business partner you need without sharing your profits - with over 60 years of collective coaching experience to keep you on track and accountable for your own success.
[1] http://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?token=BL/1366
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