Do you often feel so overwhelmed that you’d do anything for a single moment of rest? You’re not alone. A 2022 survey from Deloitte and Workplace revealed that out of 2,100 employees and executives, over 50% experienced fatigue and mental health issues. As for C-level executives only, nearly 70% considered quitting for a job that better supports their well-being.
What does this data tell us? For one, we clearly live in a world that glorifies unhealthy productivity above all else, and two, that balancing the demands of a busy professional life with personal commitments is difficult for everyone, from employees to executives. And yet, this balancing act is crucial for one’s mental and physical health, as well as, rather ironically, for overall productivity.
The good news is, that it is possible to find that sweet spot where work and life intersect harmoniously – many professionals do it on a daily basis.
How? Well, that’s the topic of today’s blog post, but the short of it is that they leverage all the tools and technologies the modern age has to offer to save time and reduce work-related stress while prioritizing their physical and mental health in their free time. The length of it? You can read it down below.
Why Work-Life Balance Matters for Everyone?
Before we go any further, let’s define ‘work-life balance.’ In simplest terms, this is the ability to balance professional responsibilities and personal pursuits. It’s about managing time and energy efficiently so you can excel in your career while also nurturing wellness, relationships, and hobbies.
Why does this matter? Because without having some sort of balance between your work and personal life you’re bound to experience burnout sooner or later, and as a result, both your professional and personal life will suffer.
A little balance, on the other hand, can go a long way in helping you achieve success at work while having a fulfilling at-home life.
However, it’s important to note here that there’s no one and only formula for work-life balance; in other words, it can mean different things to different individuals. What’s important is to strike a balance that works best for you.
How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance
While achieving the “perfect” work-life balance should never be the goal (because, really, what would ‘perfect’ even mean in this context if everyone’s work and personal life is different), every professional looking to find that sweet spot between these two major aspects of life should try to do some or all of the following things.
At Work
Leverage Technology
Most successful executives take full advantage of the technologies the digital age we live in has to offer, and you’d be wise to follow in their footsteps so you can streamline your workflows, save time, and enhance your productivity.
For example, project management tools such as Trello or Asana can help you effectively delegate tasks and track progress across teams.
Payroll and accounting software solutions, on the other hand, can simplify payroll processing and compliance, minimizing errors and ensuring timely payments. For instance, OnPay’s New York payroll calculator can be used to automate administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time that you can then use for personal endeavors.
Use Time Management Apps
Time is a precious commodity, and successful professionals know this better than anyone, which is why many use time management apps to optimize their productivity.
Apps like RescueTime, TogglTrack, and Clockify can help you track how you spend your work days and identify time sinks that you can then work on improving. These and similar apps are excellent for optimizing your workflows as they give you a clear picture of how you use every minute of every work hour.
Establish Boundaries and Delegate
Executives and other professionals know they cannot carry the entire world on their shoulders, so they don’t shy away from delegating responsibilities to capable team members. They also know that in order to achieve any kind of semblance of a work-life balance, they need to set clear boundaries between said work and life.
To delegate effectively, regularly analyze your team dynamics and skill sets so you know how best to optimize task distribution. It’s also a good idea to invest in team development whenever possible, whether through offering industry seminars, training workshops, or certification courses, so you can be sure your employees really are highly capable people.
At Home
Prioritize Health and Wellness
A balanced life is more than work and productivity – it must also include physical and mental well-being. For this reason, successful executives prioritize quality sleep and regular exercise in their off-hours so they can maintain peak performance levels.
In addition to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, you might also want to integrate wellness into your daily routines. For this, mindfulness and meditation apps such as Calm, Waking Up, or Headspace can be of great help.
Cultivate Hobbies and Interests
Finally, wise professionals know that dedicating time to hobbies and interests outside of work does wonders for recharging the batteries, which is why many dedicate a good chunk of their free time to cultivating hobbies.
This can be anything from hiking to painting to playing an instrument – whatever brings you joy, helps reduce your stress levels, and fulfills you is a good option. If, in addition to this, you also want to expand your social circle outside of work, consider joining community groups related to your interests.
