{"id":17755,"date":"2021-04-16T10:00:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T09:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=17755"},"modified":"2021-04-14T14:48:39","modified_gmt":"2021-04-14T13:48:39","slug":"the-working-from-home-balancing-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/the-working-from-home-balancing-act\/","title":{"rendered":"The Working From Home Balancing Act"},"content":{"rendered":"

A\u00a0<\/span>“Stress at Work Report” by LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>\u00a0showed that 49 per cent of professionals are stressed in their jobs. The number one reason for that stress, as indicated by 70 per cent of the respondents, is a lack of work-life balance. Another\u00a0<\/span>study published last year by HRDrive<\/span><\/a>\u00a0showed that 60 per cent of 18-34-year-olds stated they are stressed “over a poor work-life balance” that is hurting their work productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Given these studies were published long before our homes became our offices, it is clear that a lack of work-life balance has been a challenge for most for quite some time. However, achieving balance has become even more difficult for those now working from home. As one colleague told me, “it is simply too easy to walk over to my laptop and start cranking knowing that my work is just steps away”.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Achieving a healthy balance between work and life will not just happen, in fact, as my friend stated, more and more people are struggling. Numerous studies show that the average workday has expanded by two to three hours for those working from home. To correct this negative trend, workers and managers alike must make opportunities to create a balance, and it is in so doing you will find improved health and productivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few ways to get a handle on the elusive balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Establish boundaries rather than trying to achieve balance<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

I have spoken many times about the need to establish boundaries rather than trying to achieve balance. Boundaries are more permanent, they can be defined, and they can be measured as opposed to balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Setting boundaries begins by aligning your priorities, including relationships, self-care, time with family, work etc. Once you’ve defined your priorities, you should establish boundaries to ensure that each of those priorities is protected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, I have a boundary established to maximise the time with my wife. This means that we have time each morning with no phones and before the work starts to have coffee together. It is something that I value and hold as a high priority. After that time, I then begin my work for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your boundaries can be the same for your work. Use ‘time blocking’ to protect work priorities and ensure you do not get distracted.<\/span><\/p>\n

For your boundaries to stick, make sure you establish them with your partner and with your manager and then make them known, you will be better for it!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t