Work-Life Balance Is not a Myth
The concept of a work-life balance is hardly a new one. Most parents are familiar with the idea of devoting attention to their families while also masterfully handling their career and personal goals. The problem is that most of these folks also think it is impossible to truly achieve. While it’s not an easy balance to attain, the truth is that this sort of equilibrium is indeed possible. Here are some tips for doing so, all while maintaining your sanity:
Set Clear Boundaries
Whether you have an office job or hold the job of staying home with your kids, your days are undoubtedly chaotic. Because of this, it’s important to set clear boundaries around each compartment of your life. For moms and dads with careers, these limits need to be communicated both at work and at home. Have a conversation with your boss (and co-workers if need be), and explain that you aren’t willing to work in the evenings past a certain point. On the home front, be clear with your spouse and children that work is your focus during certain hours and they are your focus during other hours. Then, stick to these commitments.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, the need for boundaries is no less necessary. Be sure you and your family decide upon periods of time that you can use to take care of yourself, such as declaring Saturday mornings as your time for yoga and coffee with a friend. This way your needs don’t get neglected in the day-to-day grind. Furthermore, be intentional about giving your family your undivided attention while in their presence. Commit to keeping your hands free (especially from the distraction of a cellphone) while playing with your kids or during one-on-one time with your spouse.
Share and Delegate
Even with clear boundaries, happy homes can still reach a point of crisis. There’s no way around the fact that there is always a lot to be done and limited time in which to do it. This is why recruiting others to help you is essential to establishing harmony between work and life. If you work outside the home, find a willing co-worker who can be your partner in sharing responsibilities. The understanding should be that if one of you experiences an emergency at home, illness or has an event you must attend during work hours, the other person will pick up the slack and help out.
If your job is to keep your household running smoothly, you still can delegate chores to others. Perhaps your spouse can have a specific task each week (like doing the grocery shopping), and your eldest child can be on laundry duty with you every other night. If no one at home is able to pitch in, see if your finances will allow you to bring in some reinforcements (like professional cleaners). You shouldn’t have the weight of all responsibilities on your shoulders.
Take Advantage of Tools
Finally, turn to technology as a way to help you become more efficient. The more productive you are, the more time you have to devote to your family, your obligations and yourself. Get in the habit of using a tool like the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which gives you a digital notebook of sorts. With this tool you can readily jot down reminders in one place and avoid hassle and wasted time. Another idea is to sign up for a service like Cozi, which is a digital, shared family calendar that helps you keep activities, time commitments and tasks in line.
The secret to reaching a perfect work-life balance is that there really isn’t one. Start slowly, and you’ll find yourself in a place of peace in just a matter of time.
Surely a work-life balance is what it is all about. Our business provides the financial means to live our personal lives which is what we are all about.
If you own a business and your work-life balance is not where you would like it to be, perhaps it is time for a change. If you would like more information about selling a business or a related service such as valuing a business, please visit my webpage Services and choose from the drop down menu the information you would like.
For more immediate help, you are welcome to send an email to Andrew Rogerson or give me a call on 916 570-2674.
