6 Ways to Achieve a Work-Life Balance
Make this elusive concept an everyday reality by following these handy tips
1. Set yourself a daily schedule and stick to it
To keep your work separate from your personal life, it’s important to set out a work schedule so that you and your family are clear on the days and times you are working. If you stick to this schedule, you’ll have a better sense of balance between your work and your personal life. Working all day and night to make your business a success will only lead to burnout, so it pays to take set breaks that will help you refuel and recharge.
You should also schedule longer breaks, such as holidays with family and friends (and preferably off the grid), so you can properly relax without work distractions. Get used to booking holidays a long way in advance so you can find cover or make up the time beforehand.
To keep your work separate from your personal life, it’s important to set out a work schedule so that you and your family are clear on the days and times you are working. If you stick to this schedule, you’ll have a better sense of balance between your work and your personal life. Working all day and night to make your business a success will only lead to burnout, so it pays to take set breaks that will help you refuel and recharge.
You should also schedule longer breaks, such as holidays with family and friends (and preferably off the grid), so you can properly relax without work distractions. Get used to booking holidays a long way in advance so you can find cover or make up the time beforehand.
2. Forget multitasking
Get into the habit of putting your phone away or closing the laptop once your work hours are complete. This way you can spend non-work hours doing the things you enjoy. Try focusing on one thing at a time, whether that’s work, having a chat with a friend or a special family meal time and don’t try to multitask by checking emails or making calls at the same time. Your family and friends won’t appreciate your head in your smartphone when you’re meant to be spending time with them. Ensure you are fully present in the one thing you are doing and you’ll reap the benefits.
Get into the habit of putting your phone away or closing the laptop once your work hours are complete. This way you can spend non-work hours doing the things you enjoy. Try focusing on one thing at a time, whether that’s work, having a chat with a friend or a special family meal time and don’t try to multitask by checking emails or making calls at the same time. Your family and friends won’t appreciate your head in your smartphone when you’re meant to be spending time with them. Ensure you are fully present in the one thing you are doing and you’ll reap the benefits.
3. Become an expert at time management
For the ideal work-life balance, you’ll spend half the day working and the rest in leisure time, so becoming super-productive during your scheduled hours of work is crucial. Business coach Gill Kerr suggests being precious with your time will make you more efficient. “Divide you day into time blocks for different activities, so your calendar doesn’t get filled with conference calls or meetings. Always time block the start of the day to work on your daily plan, and then at the end of the day to check you have achieved it.”
Compile a to-do list in order of importance so you have a target for each day, however be realistic with your goals. An unfulfilled list each day could frustrate you and knock your confidence, while a completed list will encourage you to sign off for the day and enjoy some down time.
Time Management Tips For Small Business Owners That Actually Work
For the ideal work-life balance, you’ll spend half the day working and the rest in leisure time, so becoming super-productive during your scheduled hours of work is crucial. Business coach Gill Kerr suggests being precious with your time will make you more efficient. “Divide you day into time blocks for different activities, so your calendar doesn’t get filled with conference calls or meetings. Always time block the start of the day to work on your daily plan, and then at the end of the day to check you have achieved it.”
Compile a to-do list in order of importance so you have a target for each day, however be realistic with your goals. An unfulfilled list each day could frustrate you and knock your confidence, while a completed list will encourage you to sign off for the day and enjoy some down time.
Time Management Tips For Small Business Owners That Actually Work
4. Minimise distractions so you can get the work done
Minimise distractions as much as possible so that you maximise your productivity. If you work at home, create a sensible home office away from family chaos and piles of washing. Ban visits to social media sites unless it’s part of your work, as we all know how time-stealing they can be. It’s also an idea to only check personal emails and text messages during breaks so you don’t stray from your task list. “Working from home is a lovely thing to do but if you set too many parameters and rules then you can negate the whole point of working from home in the first place,” says lifestyle blogger Maxine Briggs. “If you have lots of non-work chores piling up, set aside proper time to do these in one go – that way you can feel focused on your work.”
Minimise distractions as much as possible so that you maximise your productivity. If you work at home, create a sensible home office away from family chaos and piles of washing. Ban visits to social media sites unless it’s part of your work, as we all know how time-stealing they can be. It’s also an idea to only check personal emails and text messages during breaks so you don’t stray from your task list. “Working from home is a lovely thing to do but if you set too many parameters and rules then you can negate the whole point of working from home in the first place,” says lifestyle blogger Maxine Briggs. “If you have lots of non-work chores piling up, set aside proper time to do these in one go – that way you can feel focused on your work.”
5. Learn when it’s right to say no
Take measures to protect your time and energy so you can focus it on specific tasks. If you work outside the traditional office setting, your availability can be a little vague and therefore demands on your time may be unreasonable. “When an unexpected deadline arrives, I would consider who it has come from and whether it’s possible to discuss any flexibility. Discuss when you could complete the task and if there’s anyone who could help in the meantime,” says Kerr. On the other hand, Briggs thinks: “It’s perfectly fine to ask yourself if this extra work or attending an event will be beneficial. Imagine you have to justify extra commitments to a boss – if you can’t, then don’t do it.”
Take measures to protect your time and energy so you can focus it on specific tasks. If you work outside the traditional office setting, your availability can be a little vague and therefore demands on your time may be unreasonable. “When an unexpected deadline arrives, I would consider who it has come from and whether it’s possible to discuss any flexibility. Discuss when you could complete the task and if there’s anyone who could help in the meantime,” says Kerr. On the other hand, Briggs thinks: “It’s perfectly fine to ask yourself if this extra work or attending an event will be beneficial. Imagine you have to justify extra commitments to a boss – if you can’t, then don’t do it.”
6. Free up more time by delegating tasks
Whether it’s your accounts, admin or marketing, there’s always a task that’s way down on the favourite list, yet it needs to be done. Delegating the tasks that take up precious time will be a weight off your shoulders and you’ll be able to focus on the things you’re good at. It’s all about getting the best from your working hours so you have more time for personal pursuits. A healthy balance of both will ultimately make your business more successful and your lifestyle a fulfilled one.
Have you managed to achieved the perfect work-life balance? If you’ve got some handy hints, share your insights below in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
Whether it’s your accounts, admin or marketing, there’s always a task that’s way down on the favourite list, yet it needs to be done. Delegating the tasks that take up precious time will be a weight off your shoulders and you’ll be able to focus on the things you’re good at. It’s all about getting the best from your working hours so you have more time for personal pursuits. A healthy balance of both will ultimately make your business more successful and your lifestyle a fulfilled one.
Have you managed to achieved the perfect work-life balance? If you’ve got some handy hints, share your insights below in the comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Industry Marketing team.
Everyone’s idea of a work-life balance will be different. You might crave more time to spend with family and friends, or maybe time to pursue a hobby or activity. Whatever your ideal goal, the processes of achieving it are the same. Follow these handy hints and we guarantee you’ll find time to enjoy life outside of work in meaningful ways.