If you think you are missing your deadlines because you can’t attain a perfect work life balance, then it is high-time you bring a much-needed change to your life. You can’t always put your personal life before your work, as it will affect your career in the long haul.
Here are a few simple tips on how to maintain work life balance that will let you enjoy your life without compromising your work.
1. Set strict deadlines
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
You can’t expect to complete your work without having a stringent schedule. Don’t start missing your deadlines, as it might become a pattern and you would soon become too lethargic to make any changes.
Suggested read: How important is it to set boundaries in a relationship?
2. Organize your workstation
Too often, we are not able to concentrate because of a messy workstation. Keep it as simple and minimalist as possible. Try to have essential things like water, chargers, snacks, etc. handy as it will let you increase your concentration.
3. Make a daily “to do” list
Every day, commence your work by making a “to do” list. You need to make sure that no personal errand would come along the way to take your mind off your work.
4. Place your phone aside
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
People are not able to attain a work life balance these days because they don’t know where to draw the line. While working, they often keep checking their phone, which is a major distraction. If you really want to work, place your phone aside and don’t take unnecessary breaks in between to check your social media.
5. Prioritize!
This is certainly the key to maintaining a work life balance. You need to know your priorities. If you have to meet a deadline at any cost, then there is no harm in missing a dinner with your friends. Sometimes, it is okay to miss a few parties.
6. There is no harm in being “invisible”
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
You don’t have to be available everywhere while working. Be invisible on IM platforms like Skype, Hangouts, and more. You don’t have to reply to a message right way. Take your time. There is no rush.
7. Have a limited circle
It is always recommended to have a limited circle of close friends. You can’t have the same social life that you used to have when you were a kid. You are now accountable for your actions and certainly can’t stay in touch with everyone. Pick your best buddies and know the kind of events that you have to avoid.
8. Start a little early
It is one of the best ways to have a work life balance. Wake up a little early or start working on a project before its anticipated time. This will give you enough space in between to run a personal errand without sacrificing your work.
9. Start saying “no”
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
There would be plenty of times when you would have to say no to your friends. You can’t go out every weekend. Just because you have to work on one weekend, doesn’t mean your life has come to an end.
10. Work smarter, not harder
You don’t have to drag your work or invest a lot of unnecessary hours while doing something new. Look for a smarter way and save your time.
11. Do what you love!
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
If you are really passionate about your work, then it won’t feel like work at all. You would never skip it for a thing. It would be your driving force and your loved ones would have to drag you away from it at times.
Suggested read: A controlling relationship is not good for a healthy and happy you
12. Avoid a last-minute rush
Procrastination will ruin your dream of work life balance. It will cause an unwanted chaos in your life, which you would find it hard to get rid of. Always avoid an unnecessary last-minute rush to complete a deadline. Not only it will make you stressed, but it will also be reflected in the quality of your work.
These rules on how to maintain work life balance might seem a little hard to apply in the beginning, but soon you would be able to prioritize things on the go. Set a schedule and never miss a deadline. Keep moving and think of your career before missing an important meeting to run a personal errand.
Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License