Lifestyle Article

Balancing act: getting the work-play mix right

Experts have been going on about the work-life balance for years now, yet it’s something we all find hard to achieve. As we emerge from the GFC, there’s never been a better time to start striking that balance.

The recent economic downturn provided strong incentive for people to work hard and play less. With more than 2.5 million jobs lost in 2008, we all did whatever it took to cling on to our jobs. However, there are signs of a turnaround, and in the last few months the job market has seen improvements.

This positive sign means you can all breathe a little easier, and re-claim your life in whatever form you like it. Work-life balance can be achieved by making a few small adjustments to your weekly schedule.

The first thing you have to do is work out what you want. There’s no point pushing for part-time hours if the subsequent salary cut means you can’t pay your bills. That’s a recipe for stress.

Once you know how much you want – and need – to work, then stick by it. Be prudent in your work, learning to say ‘no’ to unreasonable demands and sticking to your to-do lists and deadlines.

Put technology to good use – whether it’s to work from home one day a week (and cut out the commute) or to knock off those time consuming tasks like grocery shopping and paying bills. That said, don’t let your working life creep into your personal life via your mobile phone or PDA. Set boundaries and stick to them.

Finally, don’t forget to look after yourself. By staying healthy and designating some dedicated “you” time each week, then you’ll combat stress and make achieving all the goals above that much easier.