Whether you're working in a company office or a home-based workstation, it is always important to promote a work-life balance. It's a fulfilling experience when you excel at your work and still enjoy some time with your family and friends. You may want to spend a vacation in your favourite destination or continue working on things you're passionate about. Sounds fantastic, right? However, that could also be challenging.
A lot of workers have a hard time grinding the usual 9-5 work schedule at work. On the other hand, even some work-at-home individuals can also experience some distractions that may hamper them to be productive in their daily routines. Achieving a work-life balance can be challenging, but it is possible.
Common Challenges Faced by Workers in Achieving Work-Life Balance
To understand the underlying factors of any issue is to find what can be the best solution possible. We should always recognize the challenges first for us to come up with effective measures to succeed with our endeavours. A worker who would want to become a significant contributor to the company, and at the same time, live life to the fullest, should be willing to overcome the following challenges.
#1 Difficult schedules. There can be demanding work schedules – such as graveyard shifts or long hours, which are sometimes extending to 15 hours. These types of schedules can hinder you from spending more time for yourself, limiting you to create opportunities in personal activities.
#2 Lack of time. Some workers complain of not having enough time to allot on pursuing their hobbies or working on their crafts. However, if we are going to think of it, some individuals still can spend time on their passion without giving up their chosen professional careers. A content writer, for instance, can still paint some beautiful masterpieces after work schedules. A doctor who's into gardening can, however, create some dish gardening arrangements during weekends. A graphic designer can also take stunning photos and pursue a freelance career in photography. It can be only a matter of time management to be able to juggle between work and other things you're passionate about.
#3 Decreased motivation. There can be difficult times that sometimes may affect the motivation level of an individual. A person may doubt his capabilities and question his ability to create great results. Being afraid of taking risks may also hamper the chance of making progress in your life and career. When we are not motivated to work, we may end up wasting time, energy, and of course, excellent opportunities.
#4 Lack of purpose and direction. Working at home or in a company office may require you to spend several hours daily, sometimes more than 8 hours. Even so, you may still want to achieve something else, such as pursuing a talent after working hours. But, why do some people successfully do that while others fail to do it? What makes the difference is having a purpose and a clear direction. If we really want to achieve something and do greater, then we should strive to do everything to accomplish them. Live a purpose-driven life and work in the right direction to success.
#5 Lack of planning. Having a purpose is not enough. We may have something in mind that we really want to achieve, but are we willing to take action? How dedicated are we to take risks and overcome challenges? How prepared are we to do the steps on establishing a successful work-life balance? Careful planning will significantly help anyone to both fulfill tasks on the job and still enjoy living life to the fullest. Plan how much time should be allocated to every task, what your priorities are, and how you will accomplish everything.
#6 Monotonous skills and abilities. You may excel in one skill today, but should it be enough in the future? The answer is, 'No.' It should be put in mind that life is continuous learning. You stop discovering new knowledge, and you'll be left behind. Innovations in terms of technology and skills are inevitable; thus, you should, too. Do not keep yourself stagnant on what you already know. Enhance your skills, learn new things, and keep on improving what you can do.
#7 Issues in the workplace. No matter how ideal a workplace is, some issues can't still be avoided. Communications may fail, therefore affecting the overall process and transactions in the workplace. Deadlines can be overwhelming, and even the tasks can be complicated. When there are issues in the workplace that can't be fixed, these may also affect individuals' personal lives.
#8 Stress. Stress has been a big factor affecting the quality of work and the health of a worker. It can make an impact when it comes to the physical, emotional, and mental state of individuals. Until today, this serves as a challenge on how members of the organization can effectively manage stress in the workplace.
Effective Solutions to Achieve a Work-Life Balance
Developing a work-life balance may not always be easy, but it is achievable. Consider the following tips to ensure that you'll have productive work results and satisfying personal life.
#1 Apply time management. Learn how to prioritize tasks and activities. Avoid spending much time on things that are not necessary. Create a to-do list that will help you create a guide on what to do and how much time should be spent on each one. You can also use some time techniques on promoting productivity, such as using tools and apps.
#2 Have careful planning. Proper planning for your daily activities will be beneficial. Create a routine to ensure that you will have a guide for consistency and efficiency while working on tasks.
#3 Create an ergonomic workplace. A well-designed workplace is vital for employees to work in comfort and become productive. Always consider health and wellness when choosing the things needed to set up a workstation. As much as possible, choose ergonomic equipment and tools. Use standing desks or desk converters to make sure that you can alternate between sitting and standing. To avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, use an ergonomic vertical mouse. An ergonomic chair can help you prevent back pain. Other ergonomic accessories can aid you in working while preventing strains and musculoskeletal problems to be acquired.
#4 Prioritize your health. Always ensure that your health will be on top of your list. You cannot perform well if your body system is weak or down. Choose healthy foods, get enough sleep, take some time for relaxation, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
#5 Journalize. Write your dreams. List down your plans. Create a bucket list. All these can be down when you keep a journal. It will help you become more inspired and motivated to hit your goals in life. Jot down what kind of work-life balance that you dream of. Read it often so that you will be continually reminded.
#6 Aim to be more efficient. There's nothing wrong with aiming to be the best. The most effective way to do that is to become better each day. Challenge yourself to create something different, surpassing what you achieved yesterday with something better you do today.
#7 Level up your learning. Never cease learning and finding new things you can apply in life. Develop your talents and enhance your skills. You can always be better if you work on your dreams with consistency and perseverance.
Final Thoughts
We can always be a better version of ourselves. As an employee or a work-at-home career enthusiast, we can achieve a successful work-life balance by overcoming some common challenges daily and doing things to pursue our passion while still working on office jobs.
