The work-life balance, that is. I know the phrase gets a lot of buzz, but as a busy professional (and a busy human), I think it deserves attention. I think this idea resonates with so many of us because we know what a delicate and sometimes difficult balance it can be to maintain. We want to excel, and we want to excel everywhere. We want success at work, a happy family, meaningful friendships, a healthy body, engaging hobbies — the list goes on. I find that when the balance is off, all areas tend to become more challenging, and the imbalance worsens.

 

What’s tipping the scale?

If you’re feeling maxed out, imbalanced, and overwhelmed, you have to stop and check in. Sometimes, part of the problem is not seeing the scale, not seeing the big picture. We think it’s about the day-to-day — our manager’s unscheduled meeting, the last-minute project that came up, the 9pm text from a client; but the stress and frustration we’re feeling is often a sign that we’re out of balance. For me, the first step to correcting an imbalance is to acknowledge it, identify where it’s coming from, define what balance looks like to me, and work from there. When you pinpoint which areas are weighing you down, you can adjust from there.

 

Set boundaries

When you have an idea of what balance looks like for you, you can set clear boundaries to help you maintain it. I don’t work a typical 9-5, so for me, that common guideline of working hours isn’t all that helpful. For those of us who work remotely, it can be even more challenging to draw the line between work and personal life. I think the key with boundaries is taking the time to find the ones that work for you. I find that setting specific hours where I don’t check email or tackle work to-dos is helpful. Instead of leaving it up to chance, I know when I need to disconnect. This is true with days off and vacations as well. With clear delineation, it’s easier to be fully present in non-work time, knowing that’s where my focus should be going. Then when I return to work, I feel recharged and ready to dive in.

 

Get Organized

Disorganization is the enemy of time management, both in and out of work. In relation to a work-life balance, I think one of the most important organizational strategies is a strong schedule that includes both work and personal commitments. I like a schedule broken up by the hour to give me a sense of how things will fit together and what my day will look like. When you know what balance looks like to you, your schedule can be a visual reminder of when you’re getting off track.

 

Say No

Here’s where that schedule really comes in handy. Many of us want to say yes — to that new project, an additional client, a spontaneous networking event. With an organized schedule, it becomes so much easier to respond in a way that supports balance. If your work schedule has some windows to accommodate it, great. When you have back-to-back meetings followed by a soccer game and family dinner, saying no is how you can maintain a balance. Saying “I don’t have space in my schedule for that” can feel like “I’m not focused on excelling at work”. If you change your perspective, saying no can feel like “I’m committed to keeping the balance”.

 

Boost productivity

It would be great if we could keep our work schedules just full enough and still grow our businesses and careers. For many of us, that doesn’t feel like the case. When you’ve set the boundaries you need for balance and still want to fit more into the workday, look to strategies to increase productivity. There are countless blogs and podcasts devoted to this topic. By seeking out ways to maximize our time at work, we can slowly create more space in our schedules. Luckily, committing to a healthy work-life balance is a great strategy to boost productivity. When we give ourselves the chance to be fully present in non-work activities, we let our brains recharge. When we return to work, we tend to be more efficient and focused than when we never fully disconnect.

 

 

It’s not about perfection. We can’t let our desire for balance become just another place we need to excel. A work-life balance isn’t a stationary place we arrive at and never leave. It’s in flux. The idea is to be more intentional about how we manage our time. When we’re aware of the balance (or imbalance) in our work and personal lives and have tools to bring it back to equilibrium, we set ourselves up for success. What does a work-life balance look like for you, and how do you work to maintain it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.