9 Ways to Balance Work and Family

August 11, 2016 Teresa Clark

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Balancing a work life and a home life can be difficult. But with a little knowledge and planning, you can make it work for you. Here are nine tips that will help you balance your work life and home life:

Set realistic goals – If you want to achieve something big, you have to make some sacrifices. While the select few can manage, most people can’t become a CEO and run a successful household. When setting your goals, be realistic and don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Make schedules – Keeping track of work and family can be difficult to plan. Try to keep a set schedule from day to day and week to week if you can. Always remember to make a written schedule and share it with everyone in your family.

Take time for yourself – It’s a natural instinct of mothers to sacrifice themselves for the good of their family. However, it’s important to remember that if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else. Try to schedule at least a few minutes of “you time” every day, whether it’s going for a run, watching your favorite TV show, or just sitting in a room by yourself to relax for a few minutes.

Work from home – If you can do your work online or on the phone, you may be able to swing working at least part of the time from home, giving you more time to spend with your family. Just remember that there are a lot more things at home to distract you from getting your work done!

Exercise – Working out is not only a great way to stay healthy and gain energy, it’s also a great way to spend time with your kids. Instead of hitting the gym, play ball in the park or take a family walk.

Take advantage of leaves – Most jobs allow you a certain amount of leave, but a lot of us end up not using it. Make sure you know how much time you have and take it, whether you go on a vacation with your family or simply take a well-deserved rest day.

Prioritize – When making your to-do lists, figure out the things that are most important and get them done first. If there isn’t enough time to do everything, you won’t feel as bad about what you have to cut.

Watch for burnout – Even if you do everything above, what you’re doing may be too much for you. Watch yourself for changes in your mood or physical issues. They could be a sign that you’re burned out and need to make some changes to your plans. Remember, your health is important too.

Learn to say no – If you want to have a successful career and family life, you will have to learn to say no occasionally. If you try to do everything, you will wear yourself. Being a good employee and a good parent doesn’t mean you need to do everything you’re asked!