Danielle’s Tips
Work-Life Balance
How do you balance the demands of a career and a personal life? Create boundaries. Technology allows our work to be literally at our fingertips. As a business owner, I fantasize about the days my parents once had with no distractions after work, so they could focus on family time and relaxation. But now, our society has normalized out-of-work hours as actual working hours. So, how do we cultivate a work-life balance? Let me share a few things that have helped.
At work:
- Set goals with time management in mind. I write lists every day with the most important tasks at the top. If I don’t get to the tasks at the bottom of the list, I prioritize them on the next day’s list. I find crossing off a handwritten list to be so satisfying.
- Communicate. The better I communicate my needs and expectations with my employees and customers, the easier tasks become. I love to create a communication workflow so tasks can be done on time and correctly. This helps ease stress by preventing me from taking on the workload alone.
- Take breaks. Previously I would find myself not taking breaks, not eating and not taking my eyes away from the computer for several hours. Taking breaks has become essential to resetting. It has increased the quality of my work, and I become a better version of myself with a little break and recharge throughout the day.
- Find a mentor. Talking to a mentor who has been in my shoes helps me see a more definitive picture. A mentor can help see outside the box and offer advice. This has reduced my stress especially when I am feeling overwhelmed and just need some guidance.
At home:
- Hire someone or ask family for help. With young twins, it was and is so hard to juggle the chores such as cleaning, laundry, cooking and being attentive to my family in addition to work life. Hiring someone to assist with some of those chores and enlisting family’s help made such a positive change at home.
- Set device boundaries at home. Setting time aside — whether alone or with family —without the distraction of a phone has been key to the health of my relationships and myself.
- Work hard and play hard. As much as I work, I like to set goals for playtime. If I set up a fun trip or activity, I have a greater appreciation for life in general. A vacation or activity becomes a reward for working hard.
When it comes down to it, there isn’t really a wrong or right way to balance work and home life. Do what fits your lifestyle best and gives you the most satisfying feeling. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Try to make every day your best day while using tools that help you be the best version of yourself.
