For many people, the balance between private and professional life remains difficult to find. It is a dilemma that we all face or will face in our career. But what solutions are available to us?
1. Plan your work: even if schedules are often subject to change, it is important to know what you are supposed to do and for how long. This will help you think clearly and organize your work. It will help you stick to your schedule and set your boundaries.
2. Identify your real needs: remember why you chose your job and what drives you to continue to do your best. Over time, we often lose sight of our original goals due to unsustainable workloads. Therefore, you should not neglect your private and professional needs, in order not to lose your way.
3. Disconnect: if you have the possibility, use different equipment for your private and professional life. If this is not already the case, don’t hesitate to point it out to your employer. As a last resort, turn off your work notifications as soon as you finish your work day. This avoids the temptation to respond.
4. Set a framework for your work: your workspace should be just that. Don’t bring your work everywhere with you. Some places should remain places of relaxation. These days with telecommuting, the boundaries are harder to find, but not impossible. The goal is to associate certain spaces with their respective roles and be able to keep a professional sphere that is not going to infringe on your private life.
5. Do activities: sometimes it is necessary to take breaks. Doing an activity outside of your work life (with family or solo) is an effective way to disconnect. It has physical benefits, but especially psychological ones, and helps avoid burn-out. Clear your head around activities that will keep your mind busy enough to stop thinking about work.
The consequences of a bad Work-Life balance
Unfortunately, many people still struggle to find a healthy lifestyle, especially with the advent of telecommuting, which has complicated things.
In order to find a balance in the long term, it will be necessary to make regular efforts in order not to fall back into excess. This is essential to keep the taste for work.
There are many reasons for these difficulties: high expectations from employers, heavy workload, new job, many responsibilities, poor lifestyle…
It is important to understand the causes in order to find a solution that will be viable in the long term.
