Our jobs play a significant role in our lives. Because of them, we are able to support ourselves, our families, and our livelihoods. However, when we allow our jobs to take over our lives, we begin to develop stress, unhappiness, and even reduced productivity. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not only beneficial to one’s health and happiness but it can also boost employee productivity and performance. At Keating Dental Lab, we realize the benefits of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and we would like to share a few tips on how you can better manage the balance between the two sides.
Concentrate On One Thing At A Time
It doesn’t take a neurologist to figure out that our brains produce the maximum level of efficiency when we are focusing all our attention to the task at hand. Once we attempt to multitask, we divide our energy and time to two or more things at once – this stunts our focus levels, which can lead to added stress throughout the day. For example, if one is preoccupied with what they should prepare for their child’s school bake sale later that evening while simultaneously working on a presentation for a brainstorm session during the work day, they will not be able to work efficiently. The time you spend at work should be dedicated to producing the presentation that will impress your fellow coworkers at the brainstorm session, and the time you spend at home should be spent creating the most delectable chocolate chip cookies with your child for the bake sale. Concentrating on one thing at a time ensures that one is able to produce quality results in both aspects of life.
Set Manageable Goals Each Day
No matter how badly we may want the ability to be at two places at once, we aren’t superhuman. Setting manageable goals each day helps us avoid over-committing to an overflow of tasks. If you feel that you are being overworked to the point where you barely have time to rewind back home, communicating effectively with your supervisor can help to renew your balance; likewise, if you are not gaining enough satisfaction becoming a valuable asset at work, you could coordinate with your supervisor to be given more tasks. Creating a mental checklist to anchor your day around helps to divide the time needed to conquer the goals of the day.
Respect Your Private Time
Once you conclude a day’s work, it is time for you to switch gears and plan what time remains in the day at your discretion. This does not mean continuing to check your emails on your phone while sitting at the dinner table. It means putting your phone down, unplugging, and enjoying the moment. Bringing your work home with you leaves you susceptible to burnout and increased stress levels. While it is up to the individual how they spend their time out of work, exercising is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and improve your health by pumping endorphins throughout your body that help lift your mood. When you find yourself with free time, don’t feel obligated to find tasks to finish. Pick up a hobby or pamper yourself by indulging in some TV and winding down.
Finding balance between your work and personal life may not always be easy, but it is necessary to ensuring harmony between both sides. Spending time enjoying your personal life means that you become more energized and motivated to produce the best results in the workplace.
