Achieve the Ultimate Work-life Balance
When asked to define ‘what is your ultimate goal in life’ most people would agree it is to live a long and happy life full of joy and satisfaction. The majority of people would also agree that success has a direct affiliation with happiness and so therefore influences how we think, act and behave. Reaching a level of personal satisfaction in your job is proven to enhance happiness and reflect the idea of success. However people are becoming aware of the benefits of work-life balance. Although this concept has become increasingly important, it is often difficult to achieve due to external factors such as technology, company expectations and our own ideology of the term ‘success’.
Confucius a Chinese philosopher said “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”. This is all well and good, although how realistic is this for the majority of people who work nine-to-five to secure their means of survival? It becomes challenging to achieve work-life balance, but the reality is that if you don’t incorporate positive measures into your life you can end up encountering serious health conditions, stress, job dissatisfaction or burnout.
Kinetic has come up with some helpful tips to get you going and make sure your work-life balance is in check ✓ When going through the recruitment process it is essential to be educated and aware of what you are looking for. Although we can’t all be working while lying on a beach in the Bahamas, there are steps we can take to make the most of our opportunities.
#1: Define Your Priorities and Assess The Big Picture
In order to commit ourselves to the lifestyle we want and to understand what truly makes us happy, we need to have a clear picture in our minds of what we desire in regards to work-life and personal life. Some people choose to dedicate their time to building their career and their status whilst for others spending time with their family and loved ones is more important. Be honest with yourself and assess your values and priorities.
#2: Do Your Research and Set Limits
It is important that before you commit yourself to a job and a company that you do your research and find out about that particular company; the culture, expectations and what conditions employees are expected to work under. You should also know your limitations and keep in mind your priorities. If you value family time, choosing a career where you are expected to work 10 hours a day will never allow you to gain satisfaction, happiness or success. It is important to choose a workplace with a culture that suits your needs.
# 3: Draw a Line Between Work-life and Personal Life
It is important to make the distinction between your workplace and your home. Try to keep these two separate despite the challenges of technology and instant access to emails on your days off. Set boundaries, make time for yourself and relax when you are meant to.
#4: Don’t Be Afraid To Say “No Thank You”
If you don’t feel that a position, company or culture is for you don’t settle be upfront and honest, as most employers will respect this. If you get a bad feeling it prAobably won’t go away. As an employee you need to be satisfied with your working conditions, as this will ensure successful outcomes for both yourself and the company you are working for.
Likewise it is important to find a good recruiter who can ensure that your preferences are valued and you are being put forward to companies who share the same ideals you do.Kinetic promote happy and healthy working environments and ensuring you find a role you truly enjoy.
#5: Learn To Manage What You Can’t Control
Finally it is also important to note that you can’t control everything that happens in life – sometimes things just don’t go according to plan. However you can definitely implement positive strategies to help you deal with things you can’t control and make sure you get guidance from the correct people regarding recruitment opportunities in order to minimize disappointment.
Each individual gives work-life balance a different meaning, however in principle we all share the idea that it is important to have a life outside of work. This may mean time spent with your family, time dedicated to personal growth, becoming more active or to pursue a hobby and so on. By allowing yourself a positive balance between work-life and personal life you will be a happier, healthier individual and worker.
Kinetic reflects this philosophy and encourages candidates to pursue roles that are aligned with their values. We are big advocates of work-life balance and have presented an event at the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, where Linda Henderson, our Career Development Manager shared her trade secrets on how to bring flow into your work and personal life. Check out the video with our Wellington consultants talking about the event and contact us if you would like to learn how you can achieve this for yourself in your next employment opportunity.
