With a pandemic still gripping the world and the holiday season in full swing, creating a better work-life balance has never been so important. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Learn to Say “No”
It’s amazing what just two letters can do. By learning to say “no” you can improve your time management skills almost overnight and strike a work-life balance that feels more reasonable. If you have a hard time saying “no,” here are some tips to help you:
- Remember that saying “no” is your right.
- Keep in mind why you are saying no and state your reason. For example: “Sorry, but I won’t be able to see you: promised my kids that we were going to watch a movie this weekend.”
- Imagine scenarios where you have to say “no” to someone. Visualizing yourself doing it will help you when you have to actually do it.
Don’t Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good
As the old saying goes, “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” More importantly, the perfect can also be the enemy of a fulfilling work-life balance. Accept that you won’t be always able to achieve perfection in every single domain of your life. And whenever you catch yourself striving to be perfect at something, try to figure out whether there are better ways to invest your efforts. For example, writing a good enough brief instead of a stellar one may help you free up time you may need to socialize or take care of yourself.
Remember: Creating a Good Work-Life Balance Is a Continuous Process
Your work-life balance is not like a painting that you can frame and hang on a wall once is finished. Rather, it’s more like a garden: it requires continuous tending and care. The demands of your work evolve and so do too your personal needs. Once you strike a satisfactory work-life balance, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can take your hands off the wheel. Instead, keep a watchful eye to ensure that your life stays that way.