Everyone wants it, but only a few actually achieve it: The much-vaunted work-life balance. Especially with the increase in home office days, this is a topic that is becoming more and more relevant. But what does it actually mean? What does it mean to have a balance between work and private life?
Roughly speaking, it means that both the demands of everyday working life and private needs are taken into account, fulfilled and lived. Everyone has to decide for themselves which requirements and needs these are.
For many people, it means structuring and organizing their work better so that less time is wasted on unnecessary things and chaotic situations. But it can also mean consciously making more time for friends, attaching more importance to your own health or making small steps towards more order into habits.
The following 9 tips can help you to make your job less stressful and your life more enjoyable and free.
Not all stress is the same. When a dead line is approaching, a little stress can spur us on to peak performance, provided it only occurs in emergencies or exceptionally intensive working days. However, if stress persists over a longer period of time, it leads to physical and mental exhaustion. A balance between stressful phases and recovery must be maintained.
Not every request that comes in requires direct action. A realistic view and organization of the tasks at hand are therefore essential. The most helpful tools for this are
Unrealistic deadlines, stressful disagreements with colleagues, unfair distribution of work or time-consuming requirements that could be simplified - there is a solution for every problem. Openness and friendliness are your strongest allies here.
To be efficient, the mind needs periods of rest when it doesn't have to think. These are usually the moments when we come up with creative ideas and solutions to challenges we've been stuck on for a long time. Take time to eat a leisurely meal (don't just have a snack in front of your PC), open the window, go for a walk and occupy your mind with other things for a few minutes.
As important as a task may seem, you're not doing yourself any favors if you take the work home with you and continue to ruminate. Switching off and letting go is a skill that allows you to enjoy other things more and start again fresher the next day. Especially when working from home, it is important to draw a clear line between work and private life.
A private appointment is easier to reschedule than a professional one and friends and family are usually more understanding than the employer. But for a healthy balance, private appointments should be given just as much importance.
Just as important as making appointments with friends to avoid becoming lonely is taking time for yourself. This can be anything from a good book to a bath or a walk in the park. The main thing is that you enjoy it and it recharges your batteries.
For many, paying attention to what is good for the body is the first thing that is thrown overboard when there is little time. What's more, the inner bastard can be very persuasive when it comes to finding reasons to cancel a trip to the gym or a bike ride. In the long run, however, you won't be doing yourself any favors. From improved health, more restful sleep and a more positive state of mind to increased mental capacity, physical activity can have a number of benefits. Which also supports us in our everyday working life.
Reflection helps you to realize from time to time in which areas your life or work is no longer what you want it to be. Change measures can then be derived from this in order to realign your life. This could be, for example, a different working time model, a new hobby to make life more colorful again, or even a change of job.
However, sometimes it is not easy to recognize where there is potential for change. It makes sense not to tackle all issues at the same time, but to gradually pick out and implement individual points. The easiest way to do this is when activities become habits and you no longer have to think about them in everyday life. Whether it's exercising on the same evening every week, addressing issues directly in the office or organizing your tasks as the first thing you do in the morning.
In which area are you happy to have an unclouded view from the outside and the support of people who are familiar with the matter (balance)? Are you taking on a new position that challenges you? Would you like to organize your working hours better so that you can go home to your family earlier? Or would you like to learn how to communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors and customers?
Over the past two years, we have seen how much is possible online these days and how profitable coaching sessions can be and are experienced via digital formats. You too can take advantage of this opportunity. You can find more options on our homepage under online coaching or contact us directly for an individual coaching format.
Would you like advice on the topic of "Better work-life balance and more equilibrium in everyday working life" and are looking for support? Then get in touch with us.