5 Ways to Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance

Having a healthy work-life balance is so desirable that many companies and organizations are now going out of their way to support it and show how they can help improve it. If you ask most people, this is the key to a happy life. Maintain a healthy work-life balance with the following suggestions.

Just think about it…

1. Don't Do More Than Expected
   

It might look good to your boss, but the only thing you are setting yourself up for is less personal time. Your boss will only start to expect this level of work. Be clear about expectations and only deliver precisely that.

2. Practice Saying "No" More

In other words, you must set boundaries. If you are already meeting expectations, say no unless you are looking for a promotion. However, keep in mind what you are sacrificing to get there. A healthy work-life balance doesn't always mean your time will be shared equally; it all depends on how you feel.

3. Change Your Should-dos To Must-Dos

Often things like working out or eating healthy are things people classify as should-do, unlike your job or paying bills. However, you can easily change this mindset. Instead of saying, "I should be eating healthy," tell yourself you must live a long life. Like you can't skip work forever and still pay your bills. If you keep eating lousy food ten years from now, you won't be able to get that time back.

4. Find A Job You Love

As the common phrase goes, "...if you do what you love, you won't have to work anymore." Thinking about it this way is one of the best ways to establish an outstanding work-life balance.

5. Don't Expect Perfection

Every job will require creativity, compromise, and adjustments to establish the right work-life balance for you. You must be realistic and adjust depending on your goals. For example, if your career goal is to work for a Fortune 500 company, you will likely have to give up more of your free time to attend to business.

However, just because you give more time at work doesn't mean you won't feel like you have a good balance. Always take advantage of your free time, take small breaks, or integrate some of your personal life with business.

For example, going to coffee and lunch with your friends during breaks or asking to bring your spouse or kids to workdays. On the other hand, maybe working more is what makes you the happiest. In the end, a healthy work-life balance is all perspective. Each person will provide a different answer. If you feel happy, fulfilled, and not overwhelmed, you are likely on the right path.

From the Professionals:

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Richards

"Invest in your work-life balance. Time with friends and family is as important as times work. Getting that out of balance is a path toward unhappiness" - Yoda