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Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day, or do you spend so much time working that you do not have time to enjoy yourself and your hobbies? You can attempt some of the following strategies if your work-life balance has gotten out of hand and you are seeking ways to get it back under control.
Take back of your schedule
Do you arrive at work in the dark and leave work in the dark too? If you are spending most of your waking hours in the office, it is time to make some adjustments. Consider discussing workload management with your manager, and if your commute is lengthy, consider working from home on a couple of days each week. Due to the advancements in technology, working from any location is now more accessible than before. If you could eliminate commuting, you would save a significant amount of time, increase your productivity, and improve your overall well-being.
Additionally, you could take steps to improve your time management skills while at work, in addition to seeking more flexible working arrangements. For example, maintain an up-to-date calendar, communicate with coworkers to schedule meetings at times that are convenient for all parties, and prioritize responsibilities. If you do not have the time to complete every task that comes your way, consider delegating some duties.
Learn to say no
Quite a few of us consider ourselves to be people-pleasers. To avoid disappointing people or to appear unprofessional in front of our superiors, we automatically say yes to every invite, request, or appeal for assistance. Even though it is an excellent attribute to be cooperative and kind, when you are running on fumes and do not have enough time as it is, the last thing you need is another meeting, a business trip that takes up your entire weekend, or an all-nighter to fulfil a deadline. Therefore, it is necessary to say no from time to time. If you find yourself unable to juggle any more balls, there is no shame in saying no, and your manager should understand your situation. Being selfish from time to time becomes necessary in the face of a scarce resource such as time.
Plan fun into your schedule
If your calendar is filled with nothing but meetings, conferences, seminars, clinics, and training, it is time to get more serious about managing your downtime and rest. We all need to take some time to unwind and have fun. Make time in your diary for hobbies such as playing with afx slot cars, socializing with friends, visiting with family, and taking the occasional day off from work. A
Do you find it challenging to strike the appropriate balance between work and leisure? Are you spending an excessive amount of time at your desk or stuck in traffic on your way to work every day of the week? If your daily routine is out of whack, start taking actions to shift the scales back in favor of life. Talk to your manager about your workload, explore flexible working arrangements, and learn to say “no” occasionally when the situation calls for it. Maintain a plan that includes time for socializing and hobbies and downtime for relaxation and unwinding.
