We’ve all heard the term “work-life balance” thrown around the last couple of years when it comes to figuring out our daily grind. But what does it really mean? Using the word balance can be a tricky move, as it can make us feel like we’re falling behind if we’re not poised exactly on that work-life line. And let’s be honest: Nothing is ever perfectly 50-50!
So, how do you accomplish blending work fairly into your everyday life? While we might not have all the answers, take a second to look at these five questions to see how you could be more mindful in life and work.
What energizes you?
Translation: Yes, we are talking about your passion points! This question asks you to contemplate what gets you excited about your day. If nothing immediately comes to mind, writing a list is always a good start to getting those thoughts organized. You can separate this list any way you’d like, but we recommend starting by writing down what excites you in the day! Allow this list to range from serious to silly so that you can see what inspires you across the personal-professional spectrum.
What triggers you?
We all have something that drives us bananas. If you’re drawing a blank (lucky you!), start a notebook recording these moments in the day that make you feel crazy. This can be a task, a process, or even a person! The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to start a game plan on how to try to avoid these events, how to approach them better in the future, or just how to handle them better.
How do you “turn” off?
We all need to unplug, but this can come easier to some than others. This question allows you to ask yourself: Do you know how to best step away? We believe it’s key to recognize the line between work and play so that you can really engage in your personal life. So often you’ll see someone leaving work just to enter “autopilot” in their personal life. Turning off from work may look like doing some exercise, having a date night, or even having a night to yourself. And yes, that means no checking work email or messages!
What are your priorities?
Let’s be honest: Your priorities will change on a weekly (and probably daily) basis. And for most people, your work stress probably comes from feeling a little mentally unorganized and being scattered with your time. Taking a second to evaluate your priorities (both work and personal) can help you discover if there is any overlap that you should be aware of when it comes to scheduling your day. By knowing where your time is allotted, you can hopefully better manage your day and cut down on some of that stress.
What’s your timeline?
For most of us, we live in a hustle culture (a.k.a. working hard towards the goal of building income). But hustler beware: There can be consequences if you’re trying to speed through too quickly. Whether you’re focused too heavily on your work or personal time, you should expect some bumps in whatever side you are neglecting. So take a second and ask yourself “What’s a realistic time frame for my priorities?” As the old saying goes: Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
While these questions may not directly solve your work-life dilemma, your answers should hopefully uncover some truths on how you can more efficiently use your time. And spoiler: We (personally) don’t believe anything is worth your peace of mind! You have the power to control what your day looks like, so start answering those questions!
Have you ever thought about how much more time you would have if you didn’t have to send out dues renewals or process an event registration form? Having an association management software can give you that time back! Check out our guide, What Is an AMS?, to help you automate processes that will allow more time in your day.
