Finding a work-life balance starts with choosing a job that you enjoy that also aligns with your particular lifestyle. Having this balance improves work and life satisfaction, fosters better relationships, improves health, and boosts productivity. In this article, we offer some tips on how you can build a great career while also having a lifestyle that you love.
Define Your Work-Life Balance Goals
Work-life balance can mean different things to different people, so it is important to define what it looks like for your life. For example, it could mean having the freedom to work remotely, more vacation time, or more time spent with your family. Write down and prioritize the things that are most important for your life and look for jobs that can match your criteria.
Get Answers to Your Questions
One way to find out about the work-life balance values of a company is to look at online reviews using websites such as Glassdoor.com. Another way is to ask questions during your job interviews. Here are some things to consider:
● The number of hours you will be required to work.
● Whether or not you will be expected to work after regular work hours or on weekends, and how often.
● Does the company have a very fast-paced environment, or is it more casual?
● Does the company value work-life balance and does it believe that their employees have a good balance? What programs have they implemented to achieve this balance?
● How do the employees feel about their work-life balance at the company?
At this point you may be wondering how you can get the job that you desire with the work-life balance you want. At 2Actify, we teach strategic online networking skills and how to find a job through referrals. Watch to see what this coaching client did to get his perfect job within 6 weeks (after no luck of applying online for 5 months)!
Managing Your Time Outside of Work
Finding a work-life balance includes managing your time well both on the job and outside of work. With this in mind, plan your personal time in a calendar, just as you would plan things at work, to make sure they get accomplished. Think about how you can make tasks more efficient and eliminate those that are unnecessary.
Staying healthy has a lot to do with the balance you’re after. According to an article by Forbes, “One study showed that employees were able to sleep better and were in a better mood after vacations, and the effects were still felt more than a month after their return.”
Consider How You Can Save Time
Saving time is key to improving your work-life balance so consider ways you can improve your time management. For example, one way of managing time more efficiently is by working remotely, which eliminates commute time. According to an article by the New York Post, “the average daily American commute totals approximately 35 minutes. That’s about 152 hours — or 19 full work days a year — driving to work in their cars.” 19 full days is more time than what most people get for vacation in a year, which is typically only 2 weeks!
When a work-life balance is included in your criteria of selecting who you want to work for, you’ll have a better shot at a job offer if you create a referral network within the companies you’ve identified. Networking creates opportunities through referrals and those referrals can provide you with information on what’s really happening for employees—is work-life balance really happening at the company? Find out from people that work there!
You’ll have a better presentation of yourself when you’ve identified how you can add value to the companies you’re interested in working for. Learn how to define and communicate your value and the outcomes of your work in your resume, profile, conversations that lead to referrals, and interviews.
