For most people juggling the demands of career and personal life is an ongoing challenge.  With so many demands on your time, it can feel difficult to strike this balance.  The goal is to make time for the activities that are the most important to you.

Here are some ideas to help you find the balance that’s best for you:

  • Keep a log.  Track everything you do for one week.  Include work-related and non-work-related activities.  Decide what is necessary and what satisfies you the most.  Cut or delegate activities you don’t enjoy and don’t have time for. 
  • Manage your time.  Organize household tasks effieciently.  Doing one or two loads of laundry every day, rather than saving it all for your day off and running errands in batches, are good places to begin.  A weekly family calendar of important dates and a daily list of to-do’s will help you avoid deadline panic. 
  • Rethink your cleaning standards.  An unmade bed or sink of dirty dishes won’t impact the quality of your life.  Do what needs to be done and let the rest go. 
  • Communicate clearly.  Limit time-consuming misunderstandings by communicating clearly and listening carefully.  Take notes if necessary.
  • Nurture yourself.  Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out, listening to music, yoga or reading.  You deserve this precious time to yourself to help you unwind after a hectic workday.
  • Set aside one night each week for recreation.  Take the phone off the hook, power down the computer and turn off the television.  Discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends.  Making time for activities you enjoy will rejuvenate you.
  • Protect your day off.  Try to schedule some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are more relaxing.
  • Get enough sleep.  There is nothing as stressful as working when you are sleep deprived.  Getting the right amount of sleep will help keep your productivity high at work as well as keep you healthy. 
  • Bolster your support system.  Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend to talk with during times of stress.  Having that “someone” to just listen to you can make all the difference in the world…don’t keep it bottled up inside.

Remember, striking a work-life balance isn’t a one shot deal.  Creating balance in your life is a continuous process.  Demands on your time change as your family, interests and work life change.  Assess your situation every few months to make sure you are keeping on track.  

Balance doesn’t mean doing everything.  Examine your priorities and set boundaries.  Be firm in what you can and cannot do.  Only you can restore harmony to your lifestyle.