These days, many worker-bees do
their nine-to-fives from the living room couch. And when duty calls, nothing says
they can’t draft an impromptu email from the dinner table, or remote access login
from Egypt, right?
In fact, young worker-bees like
the millennials say flexibility (where and when you work) are particularly
pertinent to them. Likewise, research suggests millennials place higher
value on time with loved ones than the boomers did.
However, when “flexibility” comes
in the shape of being attached at the hip to work – midnight emails, down-time
business pitches, and never technically logging off for the day – it gets exhausting
and can have negative effects.
Whether working in your PJ’s or
from the office – it’s important to take breaks throughout the day and “shut
off” appropriately once you’ve done your 8 or 9 hours of work. So how can you attain the perfect work-life
balance?
Well there isn’t one “right” way.
But the key is what’s more important to you – in career and personal life – and
prioritizing your schedule accordingly. Check out these tips to start crafting
that fulfilling lifestyle:
Do what you love, and love what you do
Just because you’re pulling extra
hours doesn’t mean you’re not having a blast while doing it.
Some of us love our jobs (that
much) and are more than happy spending hours emailing, brainstorming and
orchestrating team powwow’s to get that project moving.
If it makes your heart sing to cart
your laptop home and continue work after that glass of wine and steam bath –
why not? Kudos to you.
Pick and choose
“There are only so many hours in a
day.” Sure, you’ve heard the saying… But
do you actually cut yourself some slack when needed?
The toughest part to reaching
work-life balance is realizing you’ll never make it to every social affair while
prepping home-cooked meals and working a surplus of overtime.
Once you decide which
relationships take VIP status – be choosy and pursue what you’re passionate
about. Making progress where you feel it counts, matters most.
Winds
of change
After soul searching and weighing the pros and cons, you might feel like shifting your priorities. Maybe you’ll start a family, buy a home or finally take that dream job in Vancouver. Either way, be open to fresh opportunities and ready yourself for tweaks or changes to your schedule.
After soul searching and weighing the pros and cons, you might feel like shifting your priorities. Maybe you’ll start a family, buy a home or finally take that dream job in Vancouver. Either way, be open to fresh opportunities and ready yourself for tweaks or changes to your schedule.
Don’t
remodel the kitchen
Convenient
work-from-home schedules can definitely feel liberating, but they’re not
without distraction.
And if
you’re like many people, challenges at work can manifest into mini-procrastination
breaks.
Dishes in
the sink and laundry on the floor often turn into diversions that set-back your
productively levels.
Keep disruptions
at bay by setting a mental and physical
boundary. Create a work cocoon (either a room or a corner) where you can
contain all work-related paraphernalia and keep work tasks to just that area.
Tally
it up
Whether
it’s hosting a shindig or fashioning furniture – the easiest way to make more
“me” time is to track what you’re doing.
For 7
days, try logging everything you do and how long it takes. Then review your
list and pinpoint potential “time suckers” where you can re-focus on what’s
significant to you.
Find
fun anywhere
Relish a
good laugh. Enjoy your coworkers. And find the fun in bonding activities. If
you love the company of your colleagues, this itself can count as socializing.
So don’t
limit your weeknights/weekends to only outside-of-work interests, unless you
really want to. Work friends can create a dynamic office space and win over
your Monday blues.
