The concept of work-life balance is common for many people. However, despite being easy to understand, it is difficult to start and maintain. Life has become demanding more than ever as we all grapple with important questions such as how to recover from the pandemic or to keep one’s job. Self will predictably become the least of priorities. 

Even if this is the case, it doesn’t mean that work-life balance is impossible. There are tons of success stories about this that get featured in different mediums every now and then. Well, it truly is inspiring so it’s worth knowing. Now, we will zoom into how to make work-life balance happen with proper assertion and scheduling.

It is arguable that the quarantine restrictions have allowed people to acquire some bandwidth to do other things especially when they’re finally saved from the daily commute. Unfortunately, this is just really a bubble because doing the things one feels strongly about has always been possible when enough focus and dedication is exerted. It is tiring to hear the same lines that glamorize being busy. Time is not an enemy, but an ally to gain and ask for cooperation. Of course, the leader is you. 

Respect your own boundaries. The majority of the time that people spend on this planet is dedicated to their work. Sadly, this is a common reality for most except for those who are spoiled with their privileges. There’s no other way but to live with it. While it is good to be passionate about work, it is equally important to set personal boundaries. Be firm with a certain schedule and amount of work you’ll accept that could also help keep your sanity. There is nothing wrong with saying no to things that are beyond your set limits. When you start respecting them, others will eventually follow. This could also give you peace of mind.

Know your real priorities. Sure, a flourishing career or business is so fulfilling and Instagram-worthy but life is supposed to be more than such earthly accomplishments. Remember that there are other aspects of life that should be given more importance. For instance, the most valuable gift that everyone can have: relationships. Money cannot be brought to the grave, but memories can. It would be such a shame to let people or adorable pets that truly matter to you just pass by in exchange for promotion in possibly two years upon entry to the company. It’s possible to do well at work without always needing to overtime. That’d be exploitation of workers after all. Spend your time wisely. 

Ask for your rights. As an employee, there are a number of benefits that should come with your employment. Grab your vacation or sick leaves, stick to the turnaround times, and claim open shifts as needed. You should be able to schedule a break from work. It would be ideal to also conduct collective scheduling with your teammates to discuss not only the best schedule for everyone but also ways on how to boost productivity in a mindful manner. Further, it’s not right to accept whatever’s below the minimum. Apart from claiming your rights, you should also know your value. This can help you lead a happy and contented life.

Set work-life balance as a principle. All of us have our non-negotiables and values that we won’t sacrifice for anything. These are ingrained in our system. So, it is reasonable and feasible to make work-life balance one of your principles too. They say that when you strongly believe in something, you manifest it without even trying. Aside from this mind-setting, be upfront about how much you value work-life balance to your workmates. You have to make them understand and even inspire them to do the same until it becomes embedded in the organization’s culture.

Have realistic goals. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Perhaps, one of the things that many people are obsessed with is overworking. Doing so won’t give better results, only a tired mind and body, and a fleeting recognition from someone. It’s advisable to have time to reflect once a day. Afterward, list down what you want to achieve and when it would be possible to achieve them. You can set short- and long-term goals. Make sure that your own deadlines are reasonable enough so you won’t stretch yourself thin. Setting unrealistic goals for yourself or for your team will only lead to failure or unsatisfactory results. 

Get out of your box. Regardless of whether you are an extrovert or introvert, you need to meet people and enjoy their company. Make an effort to get to know your team members outside of work. Not only it can nurture better working relationships, you might just gain your closest friends who will be there for you when things get tough. It only takes communication and the willingness to spend time with them. When you deem that the timing is right, do inquire about their passions and personal aspirations. Understanding them better could also give you insights on how to better manage your working schedule or outputs with them. Don’t get too absorbed in your own world and let people in. 

Achieve real fulfillment. Successfully having a work-life balance can certainly make you healthy, more productive, and optimistic. As you get more time to do what truly makes you happy outside of work, it will manifest physically and emotionally. This would positively impact your holistic health. Thus, your overall mood and even attitude will be improved too as you take necessary pauses and rests. After all, a tired mind cannot function properly. You will also be at a lesser risk for burnouts which is one of the prevalent problems of people these days. More than a celebrated career, having a happy and healthy life is way much better. 

These are only some tips on how to pursue work-life balance and critical points to consider as to why it is important. It’s understandable that you need to push yourself harder and work for long hours during some busy times of the year. However, you should know when you need to recuperate and be able to speak up about it. Remember that no job is worth a life. 

Aussy Aportadera is pursuing the unhurried life in the beachside town of La Union, Philippines. After a career in communications and publishing for luxury lifestyle, food, and wine, she is now a yoga teacher and co-owner of a ceramics brand.