If you find yourself zoning out in the middle of work—day-dreaming about palm trees and sandy shores—then you need to re-evaluate your work-life balance. We often get sucked into the daily grind of work that we forget about life outside of work.
To enrich your life with joyful experiences and learning opportunities, you have to maintain a balance between recreation and work. Learning how to balance work and life is nothing short of an art. It’s not easy and many of us struggle with it in our daily lives. In our ambition to have it all, some things get left behind. But if we actively seek change and are willing to do our best, we can succeed in maintaining work-life balance.
Most of us are stuck at home and working from a home office because of COVID-19. The line between work and personal time has become blurred.
But this doesn’t mean that you have to get used to it. This isn’t the ‘new normal’ because there’s nothing normal about a pandemic. If you’re efficient and manage your time well, you can easily maintain a balance.
Insightful work-life balance tips can push you to incorporate some changes into your routine to adopt a healthier and happier lifestyle. Let’s look at some work-life balance tips for employees to help you navigate your way through different scenarios, including the current ‘new normal’ of WFH.
How To Maintain Work-Life Balance
In many cases, you work to reap external rewards. But your work can be something you like to do just as much as you enjoy your free time. There are many ways in which you can find the time to do both with equal passion. Here are a few work-life balance tips to get you started:
1. Make Time For Yourself
Spend time with your thoughts. Try to organize your thoughts in a way that helps you come up with creative solutions. Maintaining a work-life balance is important for performing efficiently at work. If you don’t take a break to assess your actions, you won’t leave any room for growth or improvement. Refreshing your mind is just as important as finishing your work on time.
2. Meet Your Teammates Halfway
If you’re someone who likes things done in a particular way, it can become difficult to work in a team. In the current scenario, leaning on your team can help you overcome professional challenges. Learn to meet your teammates halfway with Harappa’s Managing Teamwork course. Not only will you learn about the importance of teamwork, but you’ll also equip yourself with the tools to navigate different workstyles.
3. Take A Walk
If you have access to a rooftop or a balcony, or if you live near a public park, head outdoors every chance you get. A change of place is a conducive way to activate your brain cells. Jolt your brain to wake up from its stupor with fresh air to tackle your work more decisively. With your newfound inspiration, you might even look forward to the next morning, starting your day on a hopeful note.
4. Pick A Hobby That Is Unrelated To Work
You can learn to play a musical instrument like a violin or piano. It will provide a break from the work routine and stimulate your brain. (https://www.lifesecure.com/) Work with what you have at home—paint, food or even clay—and create something from scratch. You’ll be able to think creatively and exercise your skills in a direction that’s different from your everyday work.
5. Restrict Office Communication To Work Hours
Respect your working time if you want to maintain a balance. Reaching for your phone to check your work email or communicating with colleagues about unimportant tasks seriously impacts your ability to switch off. Once you’re done with your office hours, plan the rest of your day as a chance for recuperation. If you let the fear of consequences—like getting fired—guide your work style, you won’t be happy in any aspect of your life.
Develop the self-awareness you need to monitor your actions will make you a better team player. Working from home may be hard, but it’s not impossible. You can ease the pressure of maintaining work-life balance when you’re working with people who are working towards the same goals as you.
Harappa Education’s Managing Teamwork course will teach you how good teamwork will help you withstand uncertainties and challenges—both internal and external. Share your concerns, attend meetings to check-in with your coworkers and formulate strategies that are time-bound. That’ll encourage you to put aside a few hours in your work-day to unplug and recharge. Align your goals with your teammates and work together to build a sustainable workstyle.
Explore topics such as Work-Life Balance, Work Culture & Rapport Building from our Harappa Diaries section and build trust-rich relationships.