LiifeHabit: The Habit of Success – Maintain A Sustainable Work-Life Balance
Benefit: The World Health Organization identifies burnout as a result of prolonged work stress, which leads to increased sick leave and mental health risks. A poor work-life balance will impact key brain areas, as follows:
- Prefrontal Cortex: Your decision-making and concentration take a hit.
- Hippocampus: Your memory function is altered, affecting recall.
- Executive Functioning: Both planning and organization become disrupted.
- Emotional Regulation: Mood swings and anxiety levels rise.
- Neuroplasticity: Learning and recovery abilities are hindered.
But here’s the bright side: you’re not stuck in this cycle. You’ve got the reins to steer your well-being back on track. Prioritizing balance isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a vital life habit that’s easy to embrace.
Overview: Create the habit of prioritizing your time and energy for both work and personal life activities in a way that promotes your overall well-being.
“Take care of yourself: When you don’t sleep, eat crap, don’t exercise, and are living off adrenaline for too long, your performance suffers. Your decisions suffer. Your company suffers. Love those close to you: Failure of your company is not failure in life. Failure in your relationship is” – Ev Williams, co-founder of Twitter
High performers such as Richard Branson – chairman of Virgin -, Ev Williams – co-founder of Twitter – and Brian Dyson – COO of Coca-Cola – all stress that work-life balance is a key habit to success. Remember, success isn’t just about achievements; it’s about finding happiness. Prioritizing this balance nurtures that happiness.
LiifeHabit Guide
Practice the Habit of Minimalism for Improved Financial Health
- Step #1 – Identify Imbalance: Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can I complete my work within 48 hours per week?
- Do I spend enough time with my family and friends?
- Am I able to take adequate vacation time to explore the world?
- Am I able to exercise daily?
- Do I have time to cook nutritious meals?
- Do I have a period of relaxation to wind down before bedtime?
- Do I have sufficient time for sleep?
- Can I switch off from work when I’m not working?
- Am I able to completely disconnect from work over the weekend?
If you answer “no” to any of the above, then this is a symptom of an unhealthy work-life balance that needs to be addressed.
- Step #2 – Reset Your Boundaries: Use your answers to the questions above as a blueprint for redefining your work-life boundaries. For example, if you often find yourself burning the midnight oil, it’s time to draw the line and set a more humane quitting time. Craft clear work hours and strive to honor them faithfully. Resist the urge to peek at emails or answer work calls during your sacred personal time. And when you’re officially off-duty, make a steadfast commitment to unplug completely from work-related duties. It’s your time to recharge and reconnect with what truly matters.
- Step #3 – Communicate with Your Team and Employer: Navigating work pressure while maintaining a healthy work-life balance is tough, yet achievable. Start by having a candid chat with your employer or manager about your workload’s toll on your well-being. Propose solutions like task delegation or deadline adjustments. Stress the importance of balance for optimal performance and quality output. If you’re the boss, lead by example, showcasing the importance of balance to your team.
- Step #4 – Learn to Say No: Mastering the art of saying no to extra work commitments is all about knowing your priorities and owning your voice. Take a good, hard look at your plate and be realistic about what you can handle. Focus on tasks aligned with your goals and the organization’s objectives. When approached with additional commitments, consider their impact on your workload and well-being. Politely decline requests that don’t align with your priorities or could compromise your ability to deliver quality work. Be firm in your decision and offer alternatives if you can. Remember, saying no isn’t about being difficult – it’s about safeguarding your mojo for the stuff that truly counts.
- Step #5 – Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or colleagues. Surround yourself with a supportive network who understands your challenges and can offer encouragement and advice. Consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor if you’re struggling to cope with work-related stress. Remember, your health and happiness must be your top priority above work demands. With this, success will naturally emanate.
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