Many know the significance of work-life balance, yet attaining it is a considerable challenge in practice.
For those seeking to enhance their work-life balance, here is a collection of insightful tips from productivity experts and the wisdom of a historical figure that offers valuable guidance.
1. Stop Thinking That Work and Life Is A Balancing Act
According to Diane Rosen, a professional executive coach and attorney at Compass Consultants in New York City, one common productivity mistake is assuming that achieving a work-life balance is feasible. Instead, Rosen suggests that it is more manageable to consider how to integrate work and life rather than viewing them as separate activities, emphasizing that there will be times when one aspect will take precedence over the other. Accepting this reality may alleviate anxiety about not living optimally each day, and planning can mitigate the stress of balancing everything daily.
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2. Set Some Ground Rules
Establishing work-life balance policies upfront, such as refraining from working over the weekend or checking work email after 6 p.m., can be beneficial. According to Bob Pozen, author of "Extreme Productivity: Boost Your Results, Reduce Your Hours," and senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, technology has made some individuals and organizations feel the need to be constantly available. Setting ground rules is essential, says Pozen. Ideally, employers or managers should establish these rules; if not, employees can collaborate with colleagues to develop and present their own ground rules. Many companies recognize the importance of work-life balance and may be open to such proposals. Setting realistic and reasonable parameters for oneself, such as committing to not working more than a certain number of hours per week, can significantly improve work-life balance. Without these personal ground rules, individuals are more likely to voluntarily work on weekends due to a lack of established limits.
3. Limit Meetings That Come Your Way
Pointless meetings can become distractions and hinder efficiency, leading to work encroaching on personal time. Before attending a meeting, Pozen recommends requesting the agenda from the organizer. The absence of an agenda can indicate the meeting's purposelessness. Conversely, if there is an agenda, it may reveal that your attendance is unnecessary. In such cases, you can persuade the host that your presence is not required, freeing up time for work and enabling you to spend evenings with your family.
4. Do a Time Audit
Renee Fry, founder and CEO of Gentreo, an estate planning website, and an assistant teacher of productivity classes at MIT, highlights the common issue of people not understanding how they spend their time. In her experience, corporate-sector students often struggle to articulate their objectives despite being busy with meetings, emails, and Slack messages. Fry suggests reviewing past calendars to gain insights into time allocation and emphasizes the importance of knowing priorities and feeling empowered to decline commitments that do not align with personal goals.
5. Stop Working Midway Through a Task
Ernest Hemingway offered a valuable writing strategy in a 1935 issue of Esquire. He advised writers to stop when they were in a productive flow and knew what would happen next to avoid getting stuck, which can be applied to various writing tasks, such as white papers, memos, briefs, and proposals. When tackling a challenging writing assignment, it is often more efficient to pause during a productive moment and resume later, as continuing or completing a project is typically easier than starting it anew.
6. Do Not Multitask
Various research reports have indicated that multitasking does not enhance efficiency or productivity in individuals. It is argued that multitasking can decrease productivity, resulting in less work accomplished during both professional and personal hours. This heightened overlap between work and home life increases the likelihood of conflict between the two spheres rather than fostering peaceful coexistence.
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