The ever-elusive “work-life balance” struggle is very real. Sometimes, the key to balance comes down to very simple decisions that just need a little sticking to. The lady bosses behind Career Contessa put together this baby-stepping strategy to help us all head in the right direction. Try it out and let us know what happens…
Losing control of your work-life balance happens to the best of us. It starts with working a little overtime on a major project — and then there’s another. Next thing you know, you’re working 60-hour weeks, you missed your nana’s 90th birthday dinner to prepare a presentation, haven’t worked out in who knows how long, and are so stressed that you lie awake at night mentally reviewing expense reports.
Our health depends on our ability to break the cycle. Because our days revolve around trying to improve the work-lives of working women, we know exactly how important this balance is. So why don’t you try our 12-day cleanse to help you find your work-life balance and regain your sanity in the process?
Day 1
Starting today, put a halt on any extra obligations. No need to cancel anything, unless you want to, but don’t volunteer for extra projects or R.S.V.P. to any networking events.
Day 2
Ask for help. Knock on your boss’s door and let her know that while you’re on top of everything you’re working on right now, you’re worried that you won’t be able to for much longer. A quick heart-to-heart should bring you some much needed relief.
Day 3
Decide on a non-negotiable time when you’ll leave the office a few times a week. Of course there will be days that require some overtime, but make sure there are two or three when you leave by a certain time no matter what.
Day 4
Start to reset expectations of when, and how quickly, you respond to emails. Tonight, say goodbye to bedtime email checks.
Day 5
A lunch break can work wonders for your stress levels and that lower back pain that creeps in around midday. Go on a quick walk, eat lunch away from your desk and take a break from staring at a screen.
Day 6
You need a vacation, but it doesn’t have to be right away. Planning and looking forward to the trip is its own kind of fun. Staycations included.
Day 7
Prioritize “me time.” As in, not take-care-of-the-family time, going-to-meet-a-friend-for-dinner time, or take-the-dog-to-the-vet time. Use it to work on your perspective by watching something motivational.
Day 8
Now that you’ve spent a few days making changes, take stock of what’s working for you. Create new routines around your work-life balance so that you can still feel on top of things at work, but also have time to kick back.
Day 9
Get comfortable with saying no. Think it, live it, breathe it. And don’t feel guilty for even a second.
Day 10
Give whatever area of your life feels messy a good clean. That can be your house or just your desk. Getting organized will make your life less chaotic and let you embrace your new-found relaxation time.
Day 11
Give yourself a career assessment with this handy worksheet and see where you want to make changes in your career and reflect on any areas you can improve upon. Then set monthly reminders on your calendar to check in with how you are feeling about your work-life balance. It’s easy to fall back into old habits, and you don’t want to fall out of balance again.
Day 12
We told you 11 things to do. Now go do whatever it is that makes you happy. Like really, really happy. Because this is about you, not what others think you should do.
Want more Career Contessa?
Check out this clever (and sweaty) networking hack.
Day 1
Starting today, put a halt on any extra obligations. No need to cancel anything, unless you want to, but don’t volunteer for extra projects or R.S.V.P. to any networking events.
Day 2
Ask for help. Knock on your boss’s door and let her know that while you’re on top of everything you’re working on right now, you’re worried that you won’t be able to for much longer. A quick heart-to-heart should bring you some much needed relief.
Day 3
Decide on a non-negotiable time when you’ll leave the office a few times a week. Of course there will be days that require some overtime, but make sure there are two or three when you leave by a certain time no matter what.
Day 4
Start to reset expectations of when, and how quickly, you respond to emails. Tonight, say goodbye to bedtime email checks.
Day 5
A lunch break can work wonders for your stress levels and that lower back pain that creeps in around midday. Go on a quick walk, eat lunch away from your desk and take a break from staring at a screen.
Day 6
You need a vacation, but it doesn’t have to be right away. Planning and looking forward to the trip is its own kind of fun. Staycations included.
Day 7
Prioritize “me time.” As in, not take-care-of-the-family time, going-to-meet-a-friend-for-dinner time, or take-the-dog-to-the-vet time. Use it to work on your perspective by watching something motivational.
Day 8
Now that you’ve spent a few days making changes, take stock of what’s working for you. Create new routines around your work-life balance so that you can still feel on top of things at work, but also have time to kick back.
Day 9
Get comfortable with saying no. Think it, live it, breathe it. And don’t feel guilty for even a second.
Day 10
Give whatever area of your life feels messy a good clean. That can be your house or just your desk. Getting organized will make your life less chaotic and let you embrace your new-found relaxation time.
Day 11
Give yourself a career assessment with this handy worksheet and see where you want to make changes in your career and reflect on any areas you can improve upon. Then set monthly reminders on your calendar to check in with how you are feeling about your work-life balance. It’s easy to fall back into old habits, and you don’t want to fall out of balance again.
Day 12
We told you 11 things to do. Now go do whatever it is that makes you happy. Like really, really happy. Because this is about you, not what others think you should do.
