How can we manage careers and personal activities, and feel satisfied with both?
One of the reasons why many of us struggle with work-life balance is because we don’t have a habit for planning for it. Creating a plan for personal time doubles the odds that you will actually strive for work-life balance, granting you more time for the activities you want to do.
Part One: The Plan to Activities
1) Create a list of activities you want to do. The activity doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated, or expensive. Some suggested healthy and de-stressing activities may include:
- Going for a walk
- Practicing yoga
- Watching a movie
- Riding a bike
- Hitting the gym
- Playing tennis with a friend
- Something you always wanted to try!
2) Pick one activity on the list to do for the week. Scheduling an activity will give you something to look forward to on a weekly basis!!
3) Find a time to do your chosen activity. This is usually the toughest part. The next section outlines a few ways in which you can free up additional time for your activities.
Part 2 – Creating Time for Activities:
Learn Your Employer’s Policies. Inquire about your company’s policies on flextime and working from home. If you’re a strong performer, you have a better chance of negotiating an arrangement that works for both you and your employer.
Use Technology to Your Advantage. Technology should help make your life easier, not control it. Ban technology at certain times so that you can focus on your activity, family or friends.
Telecommute. Telecommuting a few times a week could help free up valuable hours. You’ll be able to focus on work for long stretches at a time and use the extra hours to meet personal responsibilities.
Learn to Say “No.” Remember that you can respectfully decline offers to run the PTA or serve on an extra committee at work. When you stop doing things out of guilt, you’ll find more time to focus on the activities that truly bring you joy.
Protect Your Private Time. Allow yourself to daydream in the subway or appreciate good weather on your walk to work. If you don’t allow yourself pockets of personal time, you’ll become too burned out to fully appreciate any part of your life…
After planning out your activities, don’t forget to ask for support! Tell your boss, family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else involved in your life that you are seeking a better work-life balance. And feel free to find your community of activity enthusiasts & venues on GoTime! Your destination for an active and healthy lifestyle.
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