Eight Ways to Restore Your Work-Life Balance

At a renowned global organisation, its former CEO used to preach work-life choice: choose! That was obviously useful as hardworking performers did well in their careers, and those who chose otherwise, did not. However, those who focused on work also suffered in their personal relationships.

Creatively, some organizations proposed work-life harmony. Can you harmonise between the two? Work is unnatural. Humans were not designed to plant themselves at workstations. We were, historically, farmers. This is an evolution of the hunter-gatherer. We have not changed much, as we still collect things and hunt in packs (cyclists, runners, fishermen, sales teams, etc.). We are who we are, and we need to acknowledge that and work with it.

Yesterday, I taught my class of international executives that when it comes to cross-cultural considerations, we have enough knowledge to operate across geographical borders. So, refine what you have defined. Use what you already have, and build on it. You do not have to deconstruct everything unless you plan to rebuild it.

Next, know what your Needs, Luxuries and Charities (Gary Yardley & Jan Kelly, 1994, Experience Orientated Management™) are. Once you have established these, you can discern what matters to you, and what your priorities in your life are.

Here is a guide to managing your lifestyle, so that you enjoy your quality of life.

1)    Have enough sleep. Early to bed, early to rise – touted Benjamin Franklin. Stop bragging about how little you do!

2)    Indulge in your hobbies. We express ourselves through these pastimes and activities. Some of us excel in our hobbies, and have build secondary reputations around it.

3)    Spend time with people you really enjoy. Surround yourself with happy and positive people as their infectious energy can transfer to us.

4)    Exercise. Keep fit. Keep moving, and move away from your desk and TV armchair. Get up and get out of your house. Go on now!

5)    Exercise your options. Choose. Make your own decisions on how you want to spend your time. Time is a precious commodity, so use it well or lose it badly.

6)    Practise discipline. Commit to a plan, and make sacrifices. As adults, suspend instant gratification!

7)    Take time to smell the roses. Appreciate the little things in life. Be grateful that you are alive and create new experiences for yourself everyday.

8)    Take on a challenge, whatever its size. Achievements and accomplishment enhance our self-esteem and self-worth. You feel more confident when you outdo yourself. Aim to complete a 10km race after doing a 5km one. Last week, my one-armed runner friend, Adam completed an 84km marathon. He lost an arm in an accident, and he lives an enviably rich life with his family. You cannot take his sense of happiness away!

Re-balance your life. Swing back or forth. Balance is dynamic, never static. Not sure – ride a bike! You will be amazed with what you can learn while doing most of the above pointers in one fell swoop.