People in their 20s and 30s often think that they have quite a lot of time left. Getting healthier? Traveling around the world? Let me do it later, after I make some achievements in my career.
Sadly, according to the data analyzed on Happify,[1] when you reach the age 35-44, work performance doesn’t make you so happy like before. Instead, work life balance does.
In fact, when we can maintain work-life balance, our work would be enhanced too because knowing something outside the field you specialize in can help you have a different perspective, which boosts your creativity.
According to the story shared by the staff of a Silicon Valley start-up Pacific Standard, people really do better if they have a fulfilling personal life,[2]
When employees have time to spend on their hobbies, connect with friends and family, and volunteer for a great cause, they come to the office re-charged and ready to make a difference. They are more creative at work.
But how to do it when a full-time job has already taken you so much time? Start with the way you work.
Be aware of the importance of tasks instead of their urgency.
Tons of messages to reply? Customers calling?
Would your reply help you achieve your goals? If yes, go ahead. If not, just leave it and put them as lower priorities.
Be clear about the priority of your works and stick to it. You may want to just write down the priority of your works and stick that memo on your work desk to always remind yourself.
Set the right expectations and communicate with your co-workers as early as possible.
Right from the start communicate with your boss and colleagues the importance of maintaining a work-life balance for you. But instead of setting the expectations generally, try to be specific about your availability for work even for your off-work hours so your plans for personal life won’t be interfered.
For example, rather than giving the general expectation that you’ll be traveling for a few days and will have limited access to email, specify your availability and the best way to reach you.[3]
Outsource the trivial things in personal life to really make time for what truly matters to you.
To squeeze more time, you need to make your personal life more efficient too. Always spending a lot of time washing the dishes and doing the laundry? Consider buying a washing machine or just go to laundry shops.
By outsourcing the daily trivial things, you gain back much time for your hobbies, family and friends.
And finally, don’t try to aim for a perfect work-life balance; it’s unrealistic.
You can hardly make it exactly 50-50 for a work-life balance. Expect that some of the times your career will take a higher priority in life, while some other times your personal life may be more important.
There will be times that you have to sacrifice some personal activities to achieve better at work; but there will also come the moments in which your work gets steady and you can have a little more room for personal hobbies and relationships.
The key is not to go to the extreme!
Featured photo credit: Stocksnap via stocksnap.io
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Harvard Business Review: If You Want To Be Happy at Work, Have a Life Outside of It |
| [2] | ^ | Pacific Standard: Having a Life Outside of the Office Is Actually Good for Business |
| [3] | ^ | HBR: If You Want to Be Happy at Work, Have a Life Outside of It |
