Old habits, expectations and workload often get in the way of a healthy work-life balance.
What if we made the conscious effort to step back, check in with ourselves and make the right changes?
This framework of questions from the Harvard Business Review can help us redefine what matters at work and in our personal lives.
1. Take a snapshot of your work-life situation right now
What am I giving priority to? What am I sacrificing? What is causing me stress?
2. Name your emotions
Do I feel happy? Calm? Sad? Angry?
3. Reprioritise
What are my true priorities? What am I willing to sacrifice, and why? Is it necessary?
4. Reflect on your options
What changes in my work or personal life will enable me to align with my true priorities?
5. Take action
What external and/or internal changes do I need to make?
External: Do I discuss my workload with my manager? Do I secure the support of a coach or co-worker? Do I take on a new role with a different schedule?
Internal: Do I self-impose rules and boundaries at work? Do I schedule non-negotiable time for myself, and/or my family and friends?
This is not a one-off exercise, it’s a cycle that needs to be repeated and improved over time. It’s easy to slip back into old ways! Keep yourself accountable and do this self-reflection regularly.
Go to the full article on the Harvard Business Review website to read some examples of humans creating their own work-life balance.
