Work Life Balance

A chat with a friend last week inspired me to write this piece. He literarily is over worked. He closes at midnight sometimes and is on duty almost every day of the week. I understand he’s trying to add value at his workplace, take his career to the next level but the question to ask is where should he draw the line? Which brings me to the very interesting concept “Work life balance”.

Research shows that every generation struggles with work life balance.

According to Wikipedia, it is the balance that an individual needs between time allocated to work and other aspects of life.

HR dictionary describes work life balance as the method which helps employees of an organization to balance their personal and professional lives.

Many organizations have tried to achieve this by introducing different interventions like crèche for nursing mothers, office gym, swimming pool, paternity leave, 5 mins health break every 2 hrs, health and fitness trainings, family seminars ,TGIF etc even the government has increased the women’s maternity from 90 days to 120 days to achieve this delicate balance. It is very laudable for organizations that embrace best practice, how about the majority that do not? How are their employees supposed to achieve work life balance? Organizations where an employee  cannot close from work before his/ her boss even when its past official closing hours?

The important fact is for executives at the helm of affairs in organizations to understand that a less stressed, more balanced employee would produce better result on the job for a longer period of time.

I would like to suggest the following tips in achieving work-life balance:

• Utilize the life wheel tool. You must first identify the problem . The life wheel will aid you in achieving a proper understanding of where you need adjustment. If your diagram gives you a W shape visual instead of a circle you quickly understand where the  challenge is. You  can then develop an action plan on how to close the gap.
• Embrace time Management – Plan and schedule your time to involve every aspect of your life- spirit, soul and body. Eliminate time wasters.
• Utilize time spent in traffic constructively. It can become your personal development time listening to audio books, reading a book or even time to catch up on social media
• Ensure to undertake leisure and recreational activities very serious everyone needs a break!
• Learn to develop your subordinates and delegate effectively so they can reduce your work burden.
• Get an accountability partner – make sure you share your successes and failures with someone that can encourage your goal achievement even when you need some firmness..

If there are other ways to achieve work life balance you have practiced or are aware of please share in the comment section and add to my list. Thanks

Written By: Yemisi Bamishile