8 Simple Steps To Achieve Work-Life Balance
March 7th, 2009. Published under Work Life Balance. No Comments.
Does it feel like you are constantly trying to play catch-up and you are on a treadmill that keeps getting faster? Is everyone else oblivious? Think about how your stress would be reduced if you could feel supported for your hard work with business-building.
A few changes such as becoming more organized at work and effectively delegating tasks, will allow you to fully focus on your time away from work without distraction. Delegating tasks to support staff such as a web designer or a good assistant will allow you to accomplish much more in less time. A reduced stress level then promotes clearer focus and encourages creativity.
To illustrate the point, a good teacher who runs her classroom well has thought ahead for the day, asks for student help and given jobs to different children based on their strengths. The teacher decides to label jobs such as line leader, paper filer, and office runner to increase efficiency. It is best to label specific tasks and assign a person to each one but just asking for help is also valuable.
In the work arena and in life, this system is very effective to enlist the collaboration and help of your employees and family members. Everyone want to feel like they are a part of the team so here are 8 ways to help you find balance at home and at work.
1. Slow Down. Stepping back and getting a fresh perspective is the best thing to do when you are racing in circles and feeling swamped. Make a priority list. Faster speed does not mean you always get more done because errors happen when rushing. Over time, doing the job right the first time increases productivity.
2. Plan Ahead. Your employees and family members will know exactly what your goals are when you can tell them clearly. Viewing the end result keeps everyone on task and working toward the goal.
3. Stop Procrastinating. Every job has parts of it that are tedious. Make the time to get those completed so you can feel the reward of having the weight lifted from your shoulders. Working hours into your schedule just for the tiresome tasks ensures that you can move on to having fun.
4. Share The Work and Match Tasks To Strengths. Enlist the help of employees and family members rather than trying to do it all solo. You will be much happier when you delegate certain jobs and everything will be completed on time. Notice specific strengths in your employees such as artistic talent, good organizational skills, ability to write and technical ability. Then, match the talents with specific tasks to be done and you will be amazed by the teamwork and willingness complete the job. The end result is the best product because strengths were matched to jobs and everyone will feel like they’ve made a contribution.
5. Make Deadlines Reasonable. When you have a job done quickly, people will naturally become stressed out trying to do it correctly within the short time frame. Mistakes are a logical consequence and cost time and money to fix. Let your clients know how long is required to complete the job and only commit to reasonable time frames. If necessary, hire extra people for a specific job rather than stressing out your existing team.
6. De-clutter. Streamlining your workspace helps you focus on your work. Arrange your desk so you can reach what you need the moment you need it. Sifting through multiple piles costs you valuable time, causes frustration, and can even prevent you from completing important tasks!
7. Learn To Say No and Eliminate Distractions. When your workload is maxed out, be assertive about saying no. Communicate that your plate if full and stay within your scheduled hours. Delay tasks such as answering email until your work is completed. Once you’ve learned to finish work efficiently and keep your job from cutting into your personal time, you will become more empowered to enjoy life outside the office walls.
8. Implement Technology. Use technology to your advantage. A small time investment in entering information, such as addresses and other contact information into a computer system can save volumes of time later. Once you’ve implemented a system, it’s much easier to make changes to information and stay current. It also makes it easier to keep up with detailed customer information.
You can keep your home and your business running smoothly without frustration or stress. With clear expectations and people functioning in their best capacities, peace and efficiency can be yours! Start getting the results you want today by implementing these tips into your everyday routines. Enjoy the benefits of great work-life balance and a more fulfilling life!