Balancing work and family means not neglecting one over the other. Creating this balance needs organisation and discipline, but the benefits of having a happy family and a successful career are well worth the effort.

Consider the following ideas to create a balance between family life and work:

    • Establish your priorities. Only you can decide what is needed to nurture your work and family. Don’t go on a guilt trip if you find that a work obligation conflicts with a family commitment. Decide which should take precedence by determining which is the most significant and then learn from the experience.
    • Manage your time. Outsource as many household chores or errands that you can. For instance, consider ordering your groceries online and having them delivered, getting help with the laundry and housecleaning or having reliable childcare providers. Even if you’re on a tight budget, the time you save will make it worth it. Time management also means ending your day at work to begin your day at home. For instance, you may have to say “no” when a work colleague asks you to help on a project that you just cannot fit into your schedule or telling your boss that you’re completely committed to work from 8 to 5, but after hours is your family time.
    • Drop people and activities that sap your time or energy. Take stock of activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life, and minimise the time you spend on them. For instance, stop spending time at work with a colleague who is constantly venting and gossiping and limit the time you spend on the Web and social media sites, watching TV, making personal calls or checking your bank balance.
    • Ignite your inner joy. Even during a hectic day, take 10 or 15 minutes to do something that will recharge your batteries. Meditate, write in a journal, pray, go for a walk, read a novel or listen to music.
    • Get moving. You’ll get more done by exercising for just 20 minutes a day – it’ll boost your energy level and ability to concentrate.
    • Communicate with your partner. Discuss your concerns about his or her imbalance between home and work and listen when your partner accuses you of the same. To be successful, work and home balance should be respected by both parties. Also, make it a rule to sit down to dinner as a family at least four nights a week to catch up with what’s happening in each other’s lives.

 

Sources
www.forbes.com
www.webmd.com
www.wikihow.com