Ah yes, the elusive work-life balance

It feels like a myth, especially when you have deadlines looming and bills to pay. But those are the times when it’s important to try and keep some perspective. No one is saying you need to bring a yoga mat into your next meeting, but try and make the most of small sessions, even if it’s just a quick two-minute break now and then during a hectic day at work.

Here are some tips on how to achieve a better balance, and don’t worry, they are actually realistic.

Let go

Start small by adjusting your own expectations.

Of course you want to excel at work and be your best at home, but with perfection comes pressure. Nobody can give 100%, 100% of the time. Cut yourself some slack, especially on a bad day, and don’t constantly judge your performance or compare yourself to others.

Aim for excellence, and not perfection.

Unplug

When you have a moment to spare, how often do you find yourself reaching for your laptop or phone? Checking for emails, scrolling through endless social media feeds… It’s become the new normal.

But we’ve lost our ability to connect with ourselves and our surroundings. Give yourself space to just breathe and enjoy the moment. If you’re at your child’s school play, get lost in it without worrying about checking your work emails. If there was really something urgent, chances are they would call you.

Destress

Okay, so maybe you do need a yoga mat. Just kidding, there are many ways to unwind without special equipment or tons of time.

For example, meditation. It’s not just for monks. There are many apps you can try for free like Headspace or Calm to guide you. But it’s really just about concentrating on your breathing, even for a few minutes a day during your commute. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Physical exercise is important, but it’s also the first thing to go out the window when life gets hectic. But try to squeeze in even half an hour a week. The endorphins will lift your mood instantly. 

No more time wasting

Identify the areas in your life that are important to you, and try to declutter yourself of the rest. It’s all about priorities.

And no, it’s not selfish to say no to tasks or people if it comes down to self-care. You can’t give your all to everyone all the time, so if it means cancelling after-work drinks because you’re exhausted, or avoiding the office chatterbox at the water cooler, it’s okay to focus on you.

Start small

You can’t expect to find a work-life balance overnight. So don’t set unrealistic goals, like sitting down for a family dinner every night of the week when you know you can’t.

But maybe you can make a big deal out of having Sunday lunch together as a family? Without iPads or phones out. It’s the small victories that will give you the confidence to keep building that balance.

As Marissa Mayer, former president and CEO of Yahoo, said, ‘You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.’