When you work outside of the home, you may bring work home or postpone
activities within your family life so you can work late. You know there has to be a better way. Consider trying one of
these ten ways of better work/life balance so you’re not torn between the two.
1. Prioritize what’s important – Before you can have a
more balanced life, both work life and family life are important and learn how to prioritize them. Focus on your
family life before work. Don’t let your boss bully you into working late if you already have a family activity
planned.
2. Drop activities that are too much – Check your calendar to
see what’s upcoming. To free up time, drop any activities that make your schedule too busy or that aren’t necessary.
Try to limit activities to only one for each child.
3. Learn to say “no” – Remember it’s alright
to say no if your boss asks you to stay late. If they offer you overtime work, tell them thank you but you have plans you
can’t break it. Ask them if you can work overtime on another date.
4. Plan for the future – Take time to get away for a day or
weekend to plan, dream, or just relax. Give yourself an opportunity to look forward to what the future can hold when your
work and family life are more balanced.
5. Reduce clutter – Try to clean your desk off completely before
leaving work on Friday. Put all important dates on a centralized calendar and get rid of the papers. Organize your office
and home as well as reduce clutter to give you more time to do things you want.
6. Plan time for yourself – Don’t neglect yourself while
focusing on work and family life. Taking time out for yourself will help you be a better parent, a better partner, and a better
employee.
7. Get help when needed – Don’t be afraid to get help
when needed. Hire a babysitter or ask grandparents to take the children while you’re working. Do you work from home?
Find a virtual assistant or hire someone to do work for you while you attend to family needs.
8. Know your limits – There’s no such person as Superman
or Superwoman. You’re not able to do everything without something having to give; most of the time the thing that gives
is your health.
9. Plan for balance – Unexpected things may happen, but if you
put time for you to enjoy a hobby or spend time goofing off with your children on your calendar and guard that time, you’re
more likely to actually make those plans possible.
10. Ask your employer about flex time. Some employers offer flex time
where you work overtime without pay so you can take time off at a future date. It can’t hurt to ask your employer
about this. The worse they can do is tell you it’s not available.
These ten ways of better work/family life balance are a few of the
many changes to consider if you’re working too much. You may feel the need to work but there’s no reason it should
take over your life. Using one or more of these ideas may help you get your priorities in order and give you more time for family
life.
