Whether you work outside the home or work from home, you might be struggling with your work-life balance. This happens when you get the two areas of your life mixed up, where you bring your personal problems to work and your work problems home.
You never seem to have time for what you want because you are so focused on everything at once. Here are some tips for improving your work-life balance and living a much happier and more balanced life.
Have Separate Work and Home Spaces
This is especially important if you work from home, at least part-time. You need to have designated personal and workspaces, no exceptions. Even if you don’t have a large house, there is a way to separate them.
This might mean sectioning off an area of your kitchen table to be used only for work purposes or putting a desk in your guest room to be used for work. Do what you can to have personal and home life and spaces for work life.
Schedule in Free Time
Schedule in time just for you for your personal time away from work. When the computer and phone get put away, you don’t see paperwork, and you just focus on yourself and your family. It can be beneficial if you work from home, to have specific hours when you are working. You know that it is time to work at 8 am every morning, so you turn off the TV and head to your office or workspace.
You take regular breaks for lunch and other breaks and end the day at 4 or 5 pm. The computer is closed, and you don’t work the rest of the evening.
Have Separate Work and Personal Goals
Your goals in life should not be combined with work, and personal they should be different. This is another excellent way to improve your work-life balance. You spend as much time and energy on your personal and family goals as you do on your work goals. This helps you feel that balance and not feel as if your entire life is dedicated to your career.
Practice Self-Care
Give yourself some time each day for self-care, spending time with family, and time with yourself. Even if it is just 10-15 minutes a day, you need this time for yourself.