Improving Work-Life Balance Through Time Management Skills
More than ever, the phrase “business hours” is devoid of meaning. During the pandemic, “business hours” has morphed into “any hours” or, more precisely, “all hours”.
Work-life balance is an important aspect of a healthy work environment. Maintaining a work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace. By creating a work environment that prioritizes work-life balance, employers can maintain a healthier, more productive workforce. Accordingly, we should see this process as a cycle, not an achievement.
The team’s work-life balance is the responsibility of both leaders and individuals. It is important for both parties to collaborate and find the best solution for everyone to enjoy their time – both at work and home.
We are sharing with you some interesting time management skills that we find helpful to improving the work-life balance.
“Who has the time to plan?”
That is exactly what everyone thinks when hearing the phrase “ Plan your day ahead”. Well, we don’t realize how important planning is. Instead of approaching your day in a haphazard manner and feeling like you hardly managed to get anything done by the end of it, planning boosts efficiency and productivity.
Make it a habit! Spare some minutes of your afternoon to make a quick plan of tomorrow’s workflow. Decide the important things you need to get done at the beginning of the day and things you want to do when you get home.
Put first things first
Learn to say “no”. Sticking to your priorities is a key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It is important to stand up for things that matter to us without feeling guilty. Try to finish the tasks you were given and remember the feeling of leaving work without thinking about those deadlines. This will give you more time to enjoy with your family or friends.
Wake up early
It sounds very traditional. That is because it is the most effective and natural way to manage the day. Being an “early bird” positively impacts our health and productivity which makes it completely worth it.
Turn off notifications & leave on reminders
The constant reminders from social media, instant messenger, and other apps take time and focus away from what you are currently doing. The instant you look at the pop-up notification, you have lost much more time than you realize, because it takes more time for your brain to focus on your current task. On the other hand, the reminders regarding meetings and action items can be a helpful tool to help you meet deadlines and be on time.
Turn off work mode when you’re home
Are you constantly checking your work emails on the dinner table or thinking about an upcoming work presentation when you should be sleeping? Work has clearly invaded your life and you need to learn how to switch off.
After a long day at work, you should spend quality time with your family or enjoy some alone time. That does not mean being physically present but mentally absent. It means to be truly invested in your family’s life and do meaningful activities together.
“Health is wealth”
As cliché as it sounds, there is no greater truth than that. There is no way you can excel at work or home if you aren’t physically and mentally fit. Regardless of how busy or overworked you are, you need to take care of yourself by drinking 2-3 liters of water, getting at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, having a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.