Tips for Balancing Work & Life

Balancing work and life in 2024 can feel like a tightrope walk, especially with all the demands on our time and energy. No matter what stage in life you may be in, there is always one more question, one more event, and one more “Can you help me?” It can be hard to grasp while you are in the middle of feeling a lack of balance, but guess what? Balance is achievable with a few innovative strategies. Let’s dive into some tips to help you achieve that sweet balance where you can professionally and personally thrive. 

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Set Clear Work-Life Boundaries

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We often look to other resources to define what work-life balance looks like. I like to share with my clients that you define work-life balance. The best first step to finding out what that looks like for you is by creating clear boundaries between work and personal life. Balance means having set times for work and set times for personal activities. If you are a morning person, having a morning routine that allows you to have personal time to read, work out, meditate, or even catch up on your favorite shows can add a feeling of balance to your life. According to research by Kossek and Lautsch (2012), employees who set boundaries report higher satisfaction and lower stress levels. If you work from home, create a specific work area to keep it separate from your living space. Even if you are in a studio apartment, designate a corner for work that allows you to look out of a window and put your back to the rest of your space to create a boundary between your work and resting space. Communicating your boundaries is another critical component to creating balance. Let your colleagues and family know your work hours to minimize interruptions and distractions while defining when to close your laptop to ensure work doesn’t creep into your personal time. 

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Use Technology Wisely

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Technology can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s great for staying connected but can also blur the lines between work and personal time. After spending five years in a fast-paced tech environment, I fell victim to adding my work email and Slack on my phone with every channel of communication notifying me of new activity. It didn’t take long before I developed phantom notifications, and I started hearing the Slack “ding” without any notification coming through at all. It wasn’t until I was expressing the new symptom I developed in hopes of relatability that an employee on my team shared something so profound and yet made me feel foolish at the same time. “My phone is my personal phone; my laptop is a work laptop. Personal use is only on my phone, and work use is only on my laptop.” At that moment, even as a Senior Director, I immediately deleted Slack and work email from my phone and never looked back! Use technology to your advantage by setting boundaries on its use.

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If you are already having separation anxiety at the thought of deleting work from your phone or happen to have a work phone, set some limits! Set Email Limits. Designate specific times to check and respond to emails rather than being available 24/7 (Mazmanian, Orlikowski, & Yates, 2013). Time blocking and utilizing productivity apps can help you manage your time better and reduce distractions.

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Seek Professional Development & Support

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Investing in your professional development can help you feel more fulfilled in your career. It also provides an opportunity to set aside dedicated time for learning and growth, which can make your work more engaging. There are several free online courses and webinars to develop new skills. It can also be helpful to dive into networking opportunities or attend industry conferences to connect with others and stay inspired.

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Sometimes, achieving balance requires a bit of extra help. That’s where career and life coaching comes in. Nitalittlemore specializes in women’s career, life, and relationship coaching. Our personalized coaching sessions will help you find balance, set achievable goals, and live a fulfilling life. Imagine having a coach who understands your unique challenges and is dedicated to helping you succeed. Why not book a discovery call and see how we can help you transform your life?

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Plan Meals and Prioritize Nutrition

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Healthy eating habits can significantly impact your energy levels and overall health. While a fantastic perk of tech start-up life was having lunch catered in the office, I was tempted by free food that wasn’t fueling me for the remainder of my fast-paced day. Planning your meals can save you stress and ensure you get the necessary nutrients. Spend some time on weekends planning and preparing meals for the week. Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins (Harvard School of Public Health, 2020) to get you through your day. Even if the catered lunch is your only option, begin to take notice of the lunch items that make you crave a 2:00 pm nap vs. the ones that get you through that annoying 4:30 pm meeting. 

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Prioritize Mental Health

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Taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health. Make sure to prioritize activities that help you relax and recharge. There are several mindfulness practices you can engage in throughout the workday to reduce stress. Calming or grounding meditation and breathing exercises are just a couple of examples that can help you reset your energy throughout the day. Therapy, coaching or both in tandem can significantly help you navigate challenges and maintain balance.

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Final Thoughts

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Balancing work and life is about making intentional choices and taking consistent action. You’ve got the power to shape your life into something unique. Remember, you’re capable, deserving, and absolutely incredible.

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Until next time, keep dreaming, keep striving, and keep shining! 🌟

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References

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Harvard School of Public Health. (2020). Healthy Eating Plate. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/

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Kossek, E. E., & Lautsch, B. A. (2012). Work-family boundary management styles in organizations: A cross-level model. *Organizational Psychology Review, 2*(2), 152-170.

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Mazmanian, M., Orlikowski, W. J., & Yates, J. (2013). The autonomy paradox: The implications of mobile email devices for knowledge professionals. *Organization Science, 24*(5), 1337-1357.

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