Embracing work-life balance in the hybrid workspace
If you are a hardworking professional who believes in work-life balance but consistently struggles to achieve it, you are not alone. Millions of people around the world have a similar challenge.
Most people believe life and work are contradictory forces. When there is work, there is no life. Personally, I don’t agree with this idea. I believe work is an essential part of life. Without work, life is incomplete. Work is a blessing – just think about someone who is unemployed, doesn’t receive any support, and is struggling to meet family needs.
Work-life balance is a key topic nowadays in the new hybrid world. It is characterized as an approach that fosters greater synergies between all aspects that define life, including work, family, community, and personal well-being. Although establishing a separation between work and life is the desired goal, sustaining that fine line is not always possible – this can sometimes lead to high levels of frustration.
Technology has been leading the way for many years to facilitate smooth business operations, enabling people to be productive even from home while maintaining proper communication. Even though working from home provides the much-needed work-life balance for many people, it may be challenging to switch to a hybrid style of working as it requires more planning.
As we navigate through the process of returning to the office in a hybrid manner, it’s important to figure out ways of feeling connected and engaged to achieve long-term success. Here are some of the methods through which you can maintain a healthy balance between work and life responsibilities with limited effort.
Pause and prioritize what’s important
Work-life balance isn’t something that can be accomplished in a single day, it’s rather a learning process that involves a great deal of trial and error. This will look different for everyone, and personal responsibilities will determine how you organize your time. To achieve a work-life balance, take a step back and prioritize your needs. Remember: Understanding what’s important for you is extremely relevant. So, if you believe something is important, go for it whether you like it or not initially. With the passage of time, you will realize that you made the right choice.
Change your Mindset
The advancement of technology and the increasing demands of work have blurred the lines between work and personal life. When it comes to balancing work and personal life, numerous options are available to help you achieve your goals. It all starts a with a shift in perspective. If you manage to win your inner game, your chances of success in the outer game will increase drastically.
Try to ‘work smart, not hard’
Measure your contributions in terms of value instead of time. It can be easy to link the amount of time you spent working with your level of productivity, but this isn’t always a trustworthy indicator of the level of your contribution. Instead, concentrate on the value you bring to the table by setting targets for everything you do.
Keep yourself flexible
It’s essential to understand that the workplace is undergoing a huge revamp and hybrid work is here to stay. Everyone must remain flexible. Some people may have to work outside of normal working hours, so keeping emails and texts within typical office hours will help you prevent burnout.
Ask For help
Don’t try to do everything yourself, delegate tasks that can be accomplished without your involvement. Ask for help because getting others involved will more likely result in getting the job done quicker, with minimum errors.
Use the right tools
Using the right set of tools to maintain productivity and foster your well-being is essential. Productivity and time-tracking tools can provide essential insights to leaders to understand their team’s workload. This way, leaders can be more proactive in their decision-making.
Communicate Promptly
Miscommunication and misunderstanding are by-products of remote and hybrid work. Sometimes it just takes a 5-minute phone call to clear all sorts of confusion. A slight assurance and empathy from leaders can go a long way in helping people feel better mentally.
Build caring relationships
Make strong connections with your family and friends. You can always count on loved ones to help you when you are going through tough times. Make new friends who can give practical advice and support you in managing stress. Joining a social cause and activities like volunteering can change your perspective and have a positive impact on your mental health.
Focus on Mental Health
Long working hours frequently can lead to an increase in work-related stress. Behavioral signs including anxiety, depression, irritation, and frustration clearly demand a change of habits. You can focus on your mental health by performing mindful exercises, taking time out, resting, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Try to keep things in perspective and be kind to yourself. Remember: you are the best judge for yourself. We often take things for granted and forget that they might be a lifelong purpose for someone else. So focus on the positives and always be grateful for what you have.
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