As a result, you may find that the demands of work become increasingly overwhelming and you may find yourself spending less time with your family and even neglecting your social life.
Balancing your professional and personal life can be challenging, but it’s essential.
What is Work-Life Balance?
Work-life balance is the state of equilibrium where you equally prioritize the demands of your career and the demands of your personal life
29-year-old Mwihaki wa Nyambura is a mother of two and an entrepreneur who deals in carpets and mitumba bales in Gikomba.
“My kids are now 6.5 and 3.5 years old respectively. When they were much younger, I must say that they took much of my time. I gave them too much attention and almost forgot that I existed as a person. I wanted to do everything for them and be there 24/7,” says Mwihaki.
“It was overwhelming but looking back I am glad I was part of their most sensitive stage. They are now in school and I have all the time for my business and social life. With time, I realized that it’s okay to let someone else do the work for me. I learnt to delegate both work and house duties and have time for my well-being. Building a business is hard! You put in a lot of work and all of you in it. The mind quips rent, bills, investments, and you end up troubling it by overthinking. With time I have learnt to do my part and let things flow. All I want is to be a brave businesswoman. Brave to make the right decisions, brave to know when I need space, brave to make money and have the freedom at hand,” she adds.
To balance between work and personal life, there are some tips that an individual can employ which include:
Set specific work hours
Whether working in a company or industry, the time you head home signifies the end of a long working day. When you get home, it is important to take time to unwind with family, prepare a meal or spend time with your children and avoid as much as possible responding to calls or emails, unless it’s urgent, during non-working hours.
Make a post-work plan
Even with a strict work schedule, it’s all too easy to find yourself getting caught up in your task and working extra hours. Knowing when to let go and continue the next day isn’t always easy. Making plans for the end of your workday can be a good solution for this. Unless there’s a task that absolutely needs to be completed today, deciding on a plan for a specific time can help you shift from work-mode to you-mode.
Take a break
Giving yourself the time to step away from your desk is vital for your work and life balance. Short breaks even during lunch hour will give you the breather you need to revitalise and look at your tasks with a fresh mind. You may also find that taking breaks will help you become more productive.
Be good to yourself
With so many responsibilities at hand, being good to yourself can sometimes be the last thing on your to-do list. However, remind yourself that prioritising your own well-being is important from many aspects. If you feel happier and more satisfied, chances are you will be a better employee, a better friend, wife, and mother.
Sources: Wix, Better Up, Business News Daily, Forbes
