If you find yourself in the role of a remote or a hybrid worker, you’re likely familiar with the joys and challenges that come with working from home. While remote work can be quite enjoyable, many professionals struggle to strike a healthy work-life balance that caters to their physical and mental well-being. See this list of essential tips to help you harmonise your professional and personal life.
Don’t Hesitate to Set Boundaries
Create a work schedule that aligns with your employer’s or clients’ expectations and allows you ample time to take care of your overall well-being. Have a start and finish time and communicate these boundaries with your family members or others who may need to know to ensure your productivity during work hours. Also, make your colleagues aware of your free time by setting status updates on team communication platforms like Teams or Slack or marking your calendar when you’ll be away from the desk.
Allocate a Dedicated Workspace
Having a specific workspace is crucial for your peace of mind, as it creates a physical separation between work and personal time. Reinforce this concept by focusing on your tasks when you’re in this area and stepping away for breaks, lunch and leisure activities.
Efficiently Manage Your Workload
Take a close look at your tasks and explore ways to enhance your efficiency. Can certain tasks be automated to save time? Do you perform better when you plan things in advance? Can you utilise Artificial Intelligence tools to assist you? Identify the methods that work best for you and approach your workload from that perspective. Ensure you communicate any unconventional work processes to your supervisors.
Communicate Your Concerns and Needs with Your Employer
If you’re experiencing creative burnout or feeling overwhelmed by your current workload, have an open conversation with your manager. Collaborate to devise a strategy that empowers you to complete your tasks while also allowing time for rejuvenation and personal enjoyment. This might involve implementing new project management tools, scheduling regular video calls to track project progress, or finding other solutions that work for both parties.
Unplug After Work
Set aside a block of time in your schedule to disconnect from your computer and all forms of technology. Remote work often requires prolonged interaction with devices. Taking an hour or two to detach from technology can be a refreshing way to recharge. This includes putting away your phone, powering down your television and laptop and indulging in activities like a leisurely walk or reading a book or other activities that don’t involve a screen.
Prioritise Self-Care
After your workday ends, shift your focus from pending tasks to taking care of yourself. Create a list of tasks you’d like to accomplish, leave it in your designated workspace and then dedicate your time to spending quality time with your family, getting personal things done, completing chores or pursuing activities of your choice. Remember, working from home doesn’t mean you have to overwork. Overexertion often leads to a decline in the quality of work produced. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance will make you happier and more productive during your working hours.
Set Realistic Expectations
Understand that the lines between work and personal life may blur at times. However, achieving a work-life balance is attainable, even though it won’t be a hundred percent consistent. There will be days when projects run late and weeks when you need to invest extra time to impress a client or manager. Yet, with the right tools and boundaries, you can strike a balance on most days.
In conclusion, maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a remote or hybrid worker is not only achievable but also essential for your overall well-being and productivity. We hope the tips provided here will serve as a valuable resource in your journey to harmonise your professional and personal life. Here’s to a fulfilling and balanced professional journey!
Jo Attard Watters is the Managing Principal and Founder of PeopleEdge Coaching & Consulting. Jo is a professional, Master’s degree qualified Executive and Career Management Coach, Consultant, Business Adviser and Academic who works with individuals and organisations to help them “be the best they can be”. With significant experience within both Corporate and Not for Profit sectors, Jo is passionate about seeing her clients succeed in their areas of interest.