Juggling a family and a career is an ongoing challenge for most families. In this productivity-driven society, our careers have become more demanding, and our personal lives are busier than ever before. Achieving a work-life balance might seem like an impossible task, but it’s not. Here are a few tips on how to achieve work-life balance:
- Leave work at work
It’s become the norm to check our emails wherever we go, whether it’s on our commute or during dinner time at home. Make it a rule not to check work emails after 6 pm. The incessant checking of emails doesn’t add to productivity, just unnecessary stress. If there’s an urgent matter at work, they’ll call you. To give your work brain a rest, take a break from your devices altogether, at least for one day or even a few hours each night. Put the phone down and turn off the computer. Take time after work to relax and focus on other areas of your life.
- Eat together as a family
The family who eats together stays together. Get into the habit of sitting down and enjoying a meal together, whether it’s for breakfast or supper. Conversations during the meal provide opportunities for the family to bond, plan, connect, and learn from one another. It’s a chance to share news and funny stories of the day, as well as give extra attention to your family. Eating together has multiple benefits for everyone involved.
- Create and organise a family calendar
Organising a family calendar is a great way to figure out your family's priorities. The calendar can include a chore chart for the kids, a list of school and family events, due dates for bills, extracurricular activities, birthdays, and anything else in your life that needs managing. Using Google calendar is a good idea, as it can be easily shared and synced on smartphones, they’re also colour-coded and can be superimposed on each other, so you’re always prepared. Create activities that regularly fit into your schedule so everyone knows what to expect, like family movie night, or a games night.
Image Credit: Pixabay.com
- Learn to say ‘no’
In today’s competitive reality, we’re inclined to commit more time than we actually have. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try harnessing the power of “no”. You can do this in a polite, respectful manner. You shouldn’t offer to run the PTA, RSVP to a social event, or take on extra responsibilities at work if you can’t manage. Make a point of seriously considering any request that comes your way, and double-check your schedule before taking anything else on. When you stop doing things out of guilt, you'll find more time to focus on the activities that you truly enjoy – like spending time with your family or binge watching Grey’s Anatomy.
- Take a family holiday
With school, work, chores, and extra-curricular activities, parents and children don’t really get much downtime. This means that there may be very little time to sit down and have a conversation with your children and vice versa. A family holiday will give you the time to reconnect, as well as lay back and relax. It’s the perfect opportunity to re-energise your mind and body, and connect with your family. After a well-deserved break, you’ll all feel refreshed and less stressed.
If you feel like you know a bit more about how to achieve work-life balance, then take that family holiday. To get the most out of your holiday, consider booking a trip to sunny Majorca. Contact us for affordable and comfortable accommodation. Our range of family-friendly hotels in Majorca are close to the beach, and we have a range of amenities that both you and the kids will love.
