Nine Steps for Creating Work-Life Balance This Year
“You are the only one responsible for setting and maintaining work-life boundaries for yourself.” This invaluable advice was given to me by my mentor, who was a Vice President of Staffing and Talent Development at a Fortune 100 company. She explained it had taken her many years to figure out this important lesson and it is one that I believe many of us still struggle with. In today’s world of constant connection and instant gratification, it can be hard to maintain healthy boundaries. While your company culture and boss play a big role, the decision to set boundaries and stick to them is one that is ultimately in your hands.
Set hours- set hours for yourself and stick to them. Don’t leave the office only to log back on the second you hit the door at home. Downtime is essential to preventing burnout and you’ll be surprised how your brain is working out problems in the background, even while you’re not thinking about work. If it’s essential to take care of work in off-hours set your limits and don’t stray.
Find a hobby- give yourself an excuse to think about something else. If you find yourself not being able to turn off your work brain, it’s time to find a hobby you can be passionate about. Directing your energy to something new and exciting will provide you with a great outlet.