After a well-earned break for most, Christmas and the biggest rush of the entire year seem to be a very distant blur! Yet some of us are still finding it tough to get back into routine, with that seemingly endless to-do list.
Christmas is a wonderful time as it pushes us to have some much-needed time off and recharge, which for some does not come often.
While I admire those with a good work ethic, I believe that balance is the key to happiness and good health.
So how do we get the right balance?
We must be able to adapt. If you think about your work/life balance as a pair of scales you want the weight to be equal – but for most it never is, Something has to give in order to coordinate balance.
Most balance relationships, kids, hobbies, while chasing a career, Some have no time for any of the above other than the career.
The biggest mistake most people make is over committing, and not using time wisely!
Getting itchy feet, making a change to please others, saying yes too often whether it’s starting a new project, studying, hobbies, meeting up with loved ones, we are always in demand but now is the time to review, most of us feel we can’t say no which is half the problem….
There is always an alternative solution… time to re-think our answers!
- I can’t stay late tonight instead ask can I please extend that deadline until Friday?
- I cannot start that new project yet (Can we meet about this next week instead?)
- I am not going to send one more email (Set an alarm, a reminder to switch off emails at 5:30)
- I’m not going to be able to attend that meeting can one of my team go instead?
- I can’t commit to plans that weekend
What is the bittersweet?
The ‘bittersweet’ is the hard work that provides results but only to a degree – money and achievement, for instance. B
But let’s take a look at Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. He’s a very wealthy, clever man. But working 17 hours a day with millions in the bank is ludicrous!
There is no balance here at all… it is just work, work, work and the result of this is his health has suffered.
Overwork has been proved to decrease productivity and can even shorten your life span!.
Next time you find yourself with that inner doubt and you are questioning whether you can say yes or no, don’t just commit and please others by saying yes. Think of a solution, an alternative – and give yourself the time you deserve.
After reading the above, are you questioning your work life balance? Or maybe you have already conquered this? Have you got any advice for others?
Please comment below!
Oh and here’s an article about why working a 17 hours a day is bad for you. Right HERE