Work-Life Balance

We are busier than ever and many workers are experiencing burnout due to overwork and increased stress on the job. Burnout is seen in across the board from blue collar workers to upper management. What would help is proper work-life balance.

Work-life balance is generally viewed as a broad concept involving correct equilibrium between career and ambition on one side and pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development on the other. Work-life balance does not mean an equal amount of hours for work and leisure. In fact, your optimal balance will vary over time, and even on a daily basis. One organization notes two key concepts of an effective work-life balance: daily achievement and enjoyment. We know what achievement is. Enjoyment, in their view, entails pride, satisfaction, happiness, celebration, love, and a sense of well being.

Sounds like something worth working toward, doesn’t it! So how do we get there? Here are some tips to help you find the balance that's best for you:

• Figure Out What Really Matters to You. What is a life priority for a single male will be different than for a married woman with three children. Spend time figuring out your top five current priorities (e.g., health, career, significant other, community service, religion, sports, arts, travel, etc)?
   
• Drop Unnecessary Activities. Keep a log and track everything you do for one week. Include both work-related and non-work-related activities. Decide what's necessary and what is most satisfying. Eliminate or delegate activities you don't enjoy and don't have time for. In fact, you might consider dropping any pursuits or commitments that don’t make your top-five list.
   
• Protect Your Private Time. Learn to say no. Quit checking email and phone messages so often. Learn to work smarter, not harder on the job so you can be more efficient and get more accomplished in less time. And leave work at work. You might even try scheduling some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are more relaxing.
   
• Accept Help to Balance Your Life. Use your support system and talk with friends and family during times of stress. It’s okay to rely on someone to watch the kids or run an errand while you focus on other top priorities. Use “tag-teaming," where one spouse works out before dinner, one after dinner, while the other watches the kids, or trade baby sitting with friends for a night out.
   
• Plan Fun and Relaxation. Fun and relaxation are an essential part of living a well-balanced life. Set aside time, perhaps one night each week, for recreation, hobby or an activity that you enjoy. Unwind after a hectic workday by reading, practicing yoga, or taking a bath or shower. Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you.
   
• Get Enough Sleep. Working when you're sleep-deprived can be stressful and, in some circumstances, dangerous. Sleep deprivation leads to reduced efficiency and productivity. You may also make costly mistakes and end up having to work even more hours to make up for the mistakes.

And be sure to remember that it is okay to have a family and a job, there’s no need to feel guilty. Just work at improving the balance.

John Holt
Cornerstone Psychological Services
05-18-2009