Business Bullets - People

Getting the balance between work and life just right can be really hard. Here are five simple questions you can ask yourself that might just help.

1. Is there any way I can create more of a work/life balance that works for me?

Small changes can make a huge difference. If your work demands spill over too much in to your family time this can create strained relationships and more pressure. Schedule family time in to your diary as you would a business meeting and stick to it. During that time make sure it is quality time you are spending – put away your tech for a couple of hours and have real conversations with the people you care about with no distractions. This can ease their feeling of neglect, which can cause arguments and stress for you at home.

2. Am I making any time for myself?

Taking time out for yourself is what most people forget to consider even though it can be the best way to reduce stress. Finding some time that's just for you doing something creative or relaxing where you can wind down and re-charge your batteries can work wonders. Find out what works best for you and make an effort to incorporate it in to your life on a regular basis, even if it's just for 20 minutes.

3. Can I manage my time more wisely?

Planning your time & prioritising tasks is key to becoming more efficient and productive in a shorter period of time. Make sure you have the right tools to make your planning effective. Recognize when you are not being productive and need a break, for example, spending long hours working when you are tired and overwhelmed isn't the best use of your time. Take a walk or leave it until the next morning when you are fresh you will probably get it done in half the time!

4. Am I being too hard on myself?

We all have an inner-critic that can be harsh. Being aware of when we are self-critical and noticing how often we give ourselves a hard time can be quite a revelation! Learning to be kinder to ourselves can really ease the pressure we allow to build up. As an example, instead of giving yourself a hard time and feeling guilty for taking a break after a day at work you could tell yourself: 'it's ok to take a break, I've been working really hard. I've done the most I can do well today and tomorrow I will feel more energized and motivated.'

5. Are there ways that others can help support me?

If you haven't told anyone how you are feeling they may not be as understanding as they could be. By sharing your situation with colleagues, family or friends they are able to gain insight to the bigger picture and will be more likely to offer support, this could be by cutting you some slack or delegating some of your work load to others. There are many ways your network around you can help if you give them the opportunity to.