When choosing a job, a good work-life balance is one of the top priority for most millennials, even preceding growth opportunities and development programs, according to research published on Statista. Balancing the responsibilities of work with life is a challenge for many people. Work usually takes precedence, which may deteriorate the personal life in some ways. If you’re looking for a solution to this problem, here are six things to consider for it.
Give Yourself A Target To Achieve
Start by giving yourself a goal you would like to achieve. It can be anything, from giving more time to your partner to learning a new skill or finishing a pending task at home. Give some thought to why you need this goal in your life, why haven't you achieved it so far, and how you can turn things around.
Be Efficient With Time
Learn how you can manage time better at work and home, so you have more time for the important things. Facilities like flexible hours and telecommuting can help improve both work and home life. In a 2023 Flex Jobs survey, over 80% of working parents chose workplace flexibility as the most important factor in a job, reports Forbes. Find out the options your workplace has that can help you with your goal.
Set Your Limits
Set yourself some boundaries that you won’t cross both at home and at work. For instance, if you can't travel away from home on certain days, inform your boss about your situation. At home, set aside some time for activities that help you unwind. Invest in things that make your life easier, such as a home protection plan, so that home repairs don’t leave you stressed at work or home.
Strengthen Your Relationships
Relationships with family and friends are a source of joy and inspiration. If the work-life balance is tilted heavily towards work, you may start to feel a disconnect with your loved ones. Find ways of communicating with them as much as possible. Plan activities that involve the whole family. Meals are a good option: It’s something that the family can plan, prepare, and enjoy together. Arrange a breakfast, lunch, or dinner that everyone can attend, and make them as regular as possible. Set both short-term goals and long term goals for your family and relationships to keep things moving in the right direction.
Don’t Take The Work Home
Taking the work home may be a quality that your employer likes, but it doesn't help with maintaining a work-life balance. Technology can be a hindrance in improving the balance. Many people find it difficult to switch off from work when at home or with family and friends because of technology, suggests research.
Practice detaching yourself from work once you finish your job. Find the best ways you can fill the gap created by the switch off. Joining a group activity is a good option: You are there with other people doing the same thing, and the activity takes place at a fixed time, so you have to make time for it.
Learn To Say No
Be mindful of your goals when deciding your availability for professional and personal engagements. Request a colleague to attend the weekly meeting if you are expected at a family gathering. If you don't already do, use an app to keep track of important events and improve time management. It will enable you to track your progress as you work towards your goal.
