Work-life balance is the state of equilibrium where a person equally prioritizes the demands of his/her job and the demands of their personal life. Technically, work-life balance is less about dividing the hours in your day evenly, rather it is more about having the flexibility to get things done in your professional life while still having time and energy to enjoy your personal life.
Some of the common reasons that lead to a poor work-life balance are:
- Increased responsibilities at work
- Working longer hours
- Increased responsibilities at home
- Working for long hours tirelessly and regularly
Here are a few ways to create a better work-life balance:
Accept that there is no ‘perfect’ work-life balance
When we think about work-life balance, we generally imagine having an extremely productive day at work and leaving early to spend the other half of the day with friends and family. While this may seem ideal, it is almost impossible to achieve.
So, we should strive for a more realistic schedule than pursuing a perfect one. Some days, we may focus more on work, while other days we might have more time & energy to pursue our hobbies or spend time with our loved ones. Balance is achieved over time, not each day.
Hunt for a job that you love
If you are not interested in what you do, you won’t be happy and satisfied. Finding a job that is a good fit for where you are in your career and where you are heading in the future is quite important. It needs to be exciting enough that you don’t dread getting out of bed every morning.
If your job is draining you and you are finding it difficult to do the things that you love outside of work, then it is high time to understand that something is wrong. You may be working in a toxic environment, have an unpleasant boss, or are doing work that you are not passionate about. If this is the case, then it is time to change your career trajectory and align it with your personal goals.
Health should be the first priority
Prioritizing your health, first and foremost, will make you a better employee and person. Your level of physical and mental health will have a profound impact on all areas of your life. Research study indicates that, with rapid economic development and fast-paced lifestyle in the past few decades, cases of lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, etc. are on a rampant increase.
Prioritizing health doesn’t mean carrying out radical or extreme activities. It can be as simple as daily meditation, exercising for at least 30 mins, drinking plenty of water, a balanced and mindful diet, and maintaining a good posture.
Most people spend about one-third of their lifetime at work. It is important that the working hours become a good experience for each individual because the opposite can cause permanent damage to their mental health.
Make time for ourselves and our Family
While your job is important, it shouldn’t be your entire life. No matter how hectic your schedule might be, you are ultimately the controller of your time and life. Just because work keeps you busy doesn’t mean you should neglect personal relationships.
Set goals and priorities and stick to them
Set goals that are realistic and achievable. You have to introspect and pay attention when you are most productive at work and block that time off for your most important work-related activities. Avoid checking emails and phone every few minutes, as those are major time-consuming tasks that divert attention and productivity. Research states that more than 50% of emails in the inbox are unimportant emails. Structuring your day increases productivity at work. It helps you to complete your tasks within time and make time for your personal life as well.
MIT School of distance education understand that balancing work-life and academic is a daunting task and hence is offering a one-of-its-kind offering, MIT Harbour. MIT Harbour program will help you deal with stressful situations, guide you on techniques like time management, effective study, self-awareness, coping strategies, and motivate you to always do your best despite any challenges you may face along the way. It is MITSDE’s proactive approach toward solving the issues faced by students in their academic and professional life.