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4 Ways to Improve Your Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is growing more important to employees than even compensation, especially for younger workers. And balance is so important! Too much work focus can lead to burnout and a distanced social circle; too much personal focus can lead to decreased productivity and possible job loss. But is it really possible to achieve that ideal balance—to have it all? You can sure increase your odds! Here’s how:

Choose a company that values work-life balance. Online reviews, employee perks, and the vibe you get during the hiring process can all help you gauge a company’s approach to work-life balance. Consider leave time, telecommuting options, employee wellness programs, onsite childcare, and the like. (You know you want to work for a company that offers free massages!) You won’t get far if you’re culturally mismatched from the get-go.
Pursue your passion. Work may be your passion, but if you’re like most of us, something beyond work shares your heart. Whether it’s rock-climbing, painting, or playing with your kids, include time for it in your weekly schedule. Following passions beyond work will help you feel refreshed and like your work doesn’t define you.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Speaking of scheduling, there are only so many hours in the day, and work speaks for at least eight of them. So it’s important to accept that you won’t complete every item you’d like to tackle in one day, and it’s important to realize that prioritizing can help you complete the most important tasks. Set goals and priorities for your professional life and your personal life, and devote time to them. Forgive yourself if you don’t meet all your goals on time! And remember, work-life balance doesn’t mean equal time is given to your work life and your personal life; it means both areas are having their needs met.
Learn to artfully decline. Work-life balance starts with the boundaries you set, with everything working toward meeting your personal and professional priorities. Ask yourself if it’s worth working an extra two hours if it means missing your child’s softball game. Ask yourself if it’s worth going on that cruise if it means missing a chance to pitch to a big client. If it isn’t, learn how to graciously decline those requests that fall outside your boundaries or that don’t further your priorities or goals. Nobody will know what your balance looks like until you lay it down!

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