Finding the right balance between your career and personal life can be an extremely challenging task and for most of the workforce it represents an eternal compromise. If you hold a managerial or executive role you are probably faced with the daily dilemma of how to avoid being ‘always on’ and may at times feel like the pressure to meet KPIs and deadlines all but extinguishes your personal life. How can employees achieve and maintain a healthy work-life balance and how can organisations promote this lifestyle? Here are 5 steps you can implement right now in your daily life to turn things around, ensuring the balance between your work life and personal life is healthy and sustainable.

1.     Talk to the boss

Communicate with management and work with them to understand their expectations and set boundaries regarding things like your availability outside work hours to respond to emails or calls and amount of overtime you are prepared to do. Consider your performance and flexible working arrangements that maximise your productivity where possible. For example, if you are not a morning person and find you are more productive later in the day, you might be able to agree on an arrangement whereby you start later and finish later. That way you can enjoy your sleep-ins, have time to drop the kids off at school or even fit in a morning workout. If you are an entrepreneur and work for yourself establish boundaries so you ‘switch off’ for at least part of the day.

2.     Use tools to increase your efficiency

Do a bit of research on the resources and technology available to help you increase your productivity and efficiency. There are a lot of ways you can do more with less time, from using project management apps and technology which allows you to automate processes. Identify the time-sucking activities you dedicate large chunks of your work day to and look for smart ways to carry out those tasks more efficiently.

3.     Consider working from home or working remotely

If you have the opportunity to work from home or even work remotely from a place that offers you better quality of life, you should give this some serious consideration. You may not be lucky enough to be able to move to Bali and work in a creative hub but you may have the chance to work for short stints outside of the office in an environment you find more relaxing.  Powering through the pile without interruption and having an extra hour to play with the kids or go for a run on the beach at the end of the day can make all the difference when it comes to living a healthy, happy lifestyle.

4. Prioritise tasks

One of the key things to finding that balance between work and personal life is prioritising your time effectively. As executive recruiters we know that people in management and senior roles often struggle with the problem of having so many different tasks that require their urgent attention every day.  It is crucial that you begin the day by identifying the top priorities and where possible cutting out activities that don’t deserve your valuable time and energy. If you have clear goals then you can assess which tasks are more important. “Be clear on what you are trying to achieve and why,” says the ‘Time Lord’ Russell Scott. Delegate tasks where possible.

5.     Say No

There are times when you need to push back at work and even sometimes at home. You know when it’s not necessary for you to stay back that extra hour in the office. Likewise, there will be certain times when friends and family try to put demands on you and you’ll need to say no or postpone events in order to maintain that balance. It is important to dedicate time to self-care, whether it’s that 30 minutes of squash with your co-worker at the end of the day or 15 minutes of meditation in total silence.

You’ll do better and more with a smile if you believe in what you are doing, have more ‘me time’ and your personal and work lives are more enriching.

Thinking of taking that next step in your career? Call one of our consultants today on 03 8620 2807 or contact us online. For more tips from Logical Executive Solutions sign up to our newsletter by visiting our website or following us on LinkedIn.