Laptops, cell phones, Blackberries, VPNs... let's face it, today's top performers are more connected to the work place than ever before. However, these advantages can quickly become disadvantages in the struggle for work - life balance.
Here are seven tips top performers, like you, can use to obtain work - life balance:
1. Use one calendar. You only have one life, so only plan it on one calendar. This will allow you to easily see all of your time commitments in one place, and eliminate the chance of agreeing to a webinar at the same time as your son's league championship game.
2. Audit your time. Nothing can strike fear in adults like the word "audit" can. But, performing a weekly time audit 3-4 times a year can produce very positive results. Write down how you spend every minute during the course of a week, then look at the results or amounts of time spent on specific activities, and compare these results to your time priorities to check for balance.
3. Decide what is important - set priorities. It would be impossible to achieve any sense of balance if you haven't defined what your time priorities are. Once you determine your priorities, give your full attention to one priority at a time. For example, focus on work at work and family at home.
4. Remember the two P's for downtime - Plan & Protect. We've all heard the saying, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Leisure time is very important and should not be taken for granted. Take the time to plan your leisure time activities and block these times on your calendar. Also, protect your leisure time by getting those small routine chores done during the course of the business week so that they do not encroach on your blocks of downtime.
5. Unwind daily. Extended vacations and even the three day weekend may be few and far between, if not totally out of reach. So, take an hour each day to unwind with non work-related activites. Block this time for something that you receive enjoyment from. For example, read three or four chapters in a book, go to the gym, or take a walk.
6. Explore your options. All of the technology tools we mentioned at the introduction of this article can also offer you and your employer many options for telecommuting, flex scheduling and more. If any of these options would allow you to achieve greater work-life balance or even improve your overall job satisfaction, then discuss them with your employer. Make sure that when you present these ideads that you have a well thought out plan and that you can demonstrate the benefits, for your employer and you, of pursuing these flexible options.
7. Let others help. Most top performers have a tendency to be control freaks in all situations. While this can be beneficial in their roles as professionals, it can be a huge stumbling block in obtaining a work - life balance. Practice delegating tasks and allowing others to help you. As an example, you can let your spouse plan the family vacation this year.
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