While we live in a culture that seems to reward high-level productivity and ‘the hustle’, if the last two years have taught us anything it’s that work-life balance and wellbeing can no longer be something that’s pushed aside – it’s no longer something that can be simply thought of as another item on that to-do list.
So, how do we achieve work-life balance in 2022, to maximise our mental and physical wellbeing?
Rebecca Klodinsky, the founder of celebrity-loved swimwear brand IIXIIST, suggests that taking control of your life so that work, productivity, connectivity and wellness successfully come together is certainly not an easy task, but it can be done.
Ms Klodinsky suggests the following strategies for mastering work, life and everything in between:
1. Create Boundaries.
“Plain and simple, if work boundaries don’t exist in your life at the moment, create them,” suggests Ms Klodinsky.
“It can be as simple as not checking your email before 7 am or after 7 pm or having a consistent schedule where you clock-on and clock-off at the same time.
“While they can be challenging to abide by at first, it does get easier with time.
“Tell your co-workers, staff or family about them [as well], so they can help keep you accountable.”
2. Schedule Personal Time.
“If you’re having trouble tearing yourself away from work, try scheduling personal time on your calendar,” says Ms Klodinsky.
“If you make plans after work with friends, block the time on your calendar as you would any other meeting.
“It also helps to get reminders throughout the day so you’re not tempted to work through your plans.
“Another idea is to use your lunch break to go to the gym, get coffee with a friend or run errands you’ve been putting off.
“Getting out of the office midday is a great way to recharge and improve your productivity for the afternoon.”
3. Get Comfortable Saying No.
Ms Klodinsky says that “many entrepreneurs have a hard time saying no to things, whether it’s taking on additional work or accepting a last-minute meeting invitation”.
“While capitalising on new opportunities can do wonders for your business, it’s a one-way ticket to burnout if you’re not careful,” she points out.
“You know how much work is already on your plate, so only take on more if you can make it happen without getting stressed.
“When someone asks you to do more work and it immediately invokes anxiety, that’s a good sign that you should probably pass.”
4. Define Your Priorities.
5. Focus On What You Control.
