Any parent knows how challenging it can be to implement work-life-balance into your daily routine. You think that you find a rhythm, but everything changes, and it’s hard to get back on track again. If you feel this way, I can definitely relate, and I think that most other parents can relate, as well. Here are 4 tips for implementing work-life-balance into your daily routine. I hope that these tips will help you achieve what you need to at work so that you are able to come home feeling content and ready to focus 100% on your family, each day.
Set boundaries and specific work hours each day
Setting boundaries and work hours is extremely important when it comes to your work-life balance. This is especially important if you have access to your work from home because you could end up finding yourself checking emails and doing client work at home, if you are not careful. Setting boundaries for yourself can definitely help you avoid overworking and burnout. I know that it can be hard to turn the work switch off once you head home, but you need to try your best. Setting work hours and making a daily to do list can be extremely helpful when it comes to this. Once you have your list checked off, take the evening off and reset for the next day. The checklist will keep filling back up, but that does not mean that you have to work all hours of the day and night to get it done. Instead, set work hours for yourself and try your best to stick with them.
Reduce procrastination
This one is for those of you reading this while at work right now. Procrastination is one of the biggest barriers for anyone with anything slightly less than thrilling to do; but, I have some news for you, and you might not like it… you are in control of how much you procrastinate! There is a reason that Nike made its slogan “Just Do It” (I frequently have to repeat this to myself while working out) – that is exactly what you need to do at work. The faster you start your work, the faster it will be over, and the faster you can start doing the things that you would rather be doing without unfinished work looming over your head. Get to it!
Schedule family time
If you struggle when it comes to unplugging from work, schedule family time into your calendar. Work meetings are easy to take when they are already written into your calendar, so shouldn’t family time become easier to take when it’s actually scheduled into your calendar? When you do focus on family time, unplug. It’s really easy to get distracted when your phone is constantly going “DING” in the background from work texts, emails, and chats. Turn it off, or set it aside so that you can be 100% immersed in family time.
Work from home when possible
Another great way to implement work-life-balance is by working from home, when possible. Sometimes, it can be more challenging to get work done with kids running around the house, but consider the commute time. How much time are you saving by not having to drive to and back from work? A lot of people are able to save hours this way. But, if you are a business owner, it’s a bit harder to do. When possible, still make it happen and just implement things into your business to make it easier on yourself, such as great employees, cameras, and camera protection. If you haven’t heard of camera protection before, you absolutely need it. There are domes that go on security cameras to protect them. Plenty of businesses make them, but Criterion Technology, Inc. specializes in injection molding lense and all of their products are 100% made in the USA.
While implementing work-life-balance into your everyday routine is definitely not the easiest thing to do, it’s pretty essential, especially when you are a parent. You want to be able to spend quality time with your family and this is definitely the way to make it easier to achieve. If you have any other tips for implementing work-life-balance into your daily routine, let me know in the comments!
