Work-life balance – managing career and personal life

Embracing the concept of work-life balance

In the digital age, where connectivity is constant, achieving a healthy work-life balance has become more challenging than ever.

Technology and remote work have revolutionised the way we live, work, and even relax. Thanks to digital advancements, we can now work from anywhere, anytime. With emails, messages, and notifications buzzing on your phone or laptop, it’s tough to unplug and unwind. So, what’s the solution?  

Building a balanced lifestyle starts with setting boundaries and prioritising core tasks. Especially during career transitions, setting distinct boundaries for work activities and re-evaluating priorities are fundamental in maintaining a work-life balance. Here’s how.

1. Track your time

Analysing your present situation is the first step in achieving a good work-life balance Keep a time log of everything you do for one week, including work-related and personal activities. This data will serve as an eye-opener, helping you understand how you are using – and where you are losing – your time.

2. Determine your priorities

Spend some time seriously reflecting on what is most important to you, and make a list of your top priorities at work and at home. Then analyse your time audit by asking yourself these key questions: What do I need to start doing? Stop doing? Continue doing? Do more of? Do less of? Do differently?

3. Set specific goals

Take your list of priorities and turn them into concrete and measurable goals. When setting objectives or goals, avoid being overly ambitious or setting vague goals. Instead, be realistic about what you can achieve within a given time frame. For example, an objective such as ‘spend more time with family’ is too broad. Instead, specify the objective as ‘have a weekly family meal together,’ which is specific and actionable. 

4. Schedule scrupulously

Whether paper or electronic, this is the vehicle by which you turn your priorities and goals into reality. Set aside 10-20 minutes at the beginning of each day (or the night before) to plan your tasks and activities for the day and evening ahead. 

5. Set boundaries

Clear boundaries between work and personal time are crucial for a balanced life in the digital age. This can be achieved by defining work hours and unplugging from technology during personal time. Maintaining these boundaries can significantly reduce stress and increase feelings of control.

Effectively communicating these boundaries is likewise important. By being direct and respectful, others can understand and respect your limits. And by consistently reinforcing these boundaries and leading by example, the effectiveness of these boundaries is enhanced.

Develop a mental on-off switch between work and home. It helps to establish a transitional activity between the two realms. This might consist of listening to music or recorded books during your evening commute, exercising at the fitness centre, running errands, or keeping personal appointments. 

Strategies for digital detox
It’s important that you also set boundaries with technology, or your use of it.

Unplug Regularly: Designate specific times, like dinner or before bedtime, when you switch off all digital devices. This helps to establish tech-free periods, giving your brain a much-needed break.

Limit Notifications: Don’t let your phone’s constant pinging dictate your day. Limit notifications to essential ones only. This reduces distractions and allows you to focus more on tasks at hand.

6. Take care of your health

You can also replace screen time with physical activities like walking, yoga, or any sport you enjoy. This not only improves your physical health but also your mental well-being.

If you are not in good shape physically, mentally, and emotionally, both your work life and your personal life will suffer. Take care of yourself by eating healthy meals, try to exercise three times per week and sleep a minimum of seven hours per night.

While you may not think you have time to add exercise and extra sleep to your jam-packed schedule, these practices relieve stress, raise your energy level, increase your stamina, improve your mental clarity, boost your immune system, and make you a happier, more engaged, and more productive person. 

7. Take advantage of work options

Find out what options your business offers in terms of flex hours, a compressed work week, working from home, job-sharing or part-time employment. You may find an arrangement that allows you to work more productively, while at the same time cutting stress and freeing-up valuable personal time.

8. Ask for help when you need it

If you are overwhelmed at work, and it is causing undue stress, don’t suffer in silence. Untenable work situations can usually be alleviated, but it will take some assertiveness on your part. Similarly, if a balanced life continues to elude you, or you are experiencing chronic stress, talk with a professional. Take advantage of the services offered by mental health organisations or from your employer, if any, such as an employee assistance program.

Maintaining balance: Long-term tips

Try as we all may, work-life balance isn't an exact science. Each person must find his or her own way of combining career, relationships, and personal care into an integrated whole. What is right for you now will likely change as new circumstances arise, so periodically review your situation and adjust accordingly.

Don't get overwhelmed by assuming that you need to make big changes all at once. Even if you implement only a few of the above strategies, they will have a positive and measurable impact in your life. Start with one clear goal -- then add another, and another.

Important information and disclaimer
The information in this article is current as at August 2024 and may be subject to change. The information in this article is factual in nature only and does not and is not intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. You should obtain appropriate advice before making any decisions based on the information in this article. 

This document has been prepared by IOOF Investment Management Limited (IIML) ABN 53 006 695 021, AFS Licence No. 230524 as Trustee of the IOOF Portfolio Service Superannuation Fund ABN 70 815 369 818 (Fund). IOOF Employer Super is a Division of the Fund. IIML is part of the Insignia Financial of companies, consisting of Insignia Financial Ltd ABN 49 100 103 722 and its related bodies corporate. This is general advice only and does not take into account your financial circumstances, needs and objectives. Before making any decision based on this document, you should assess your own circumstances or seek advice from a financial adviser and seek tax advice from a registered tax agent. Please obtain and consider the PDS and the Target Market Determination (TMD) both of which are available for consumers to better understand products before making any decision about whether to acquire a financial product. Information is current at the date of issue and may change.