5 ways to find your perfect work-life balance
Written by Sarah Robinson
Read our take on how you can create and keep a healthy & balanced attitude towards work.
Finding the right work-life balance doesn’t need to be a juggling act.
It is possible to have harmony between spare time and working life, without compromising job productivity or personal well-being.
Here are our top tips for maintaining a healthy attitude towards work and finding your perfect balance.
1. When it comes to work-life balance, one size does not fit all.
This concept can mean an entirely different thing to different people, and it is important to recognise how individual this can be. Whether it’s the hours you prefer to work, the routine you keep, or what you do in your spare time to destress; everyone is different.
If working to your own schedule or working in a particular environment makes you feel more productive and gets you the results you need at work, then it’s important to make the necessary changes.
The recent divide in opinion about flexible and remote working has clouded the individual’s right to decide what is best for them. At William James Recruitment, we understand that finding a company that suits how you approach your working day is key.
We place candidates at all ends of the spectrum, whether it’s hybrid working, office-based, or fully remote; it’s important to find your fit.
Find a career that fits & supports your values and helps you reach your full potential.
2. The right answer or routine will not materialise overnight.
Balance does not come quickly or last without some ongoing consideration. Our lives and routines are constantly changing. Take a pause at regular intervals in your career to adjust and evaluate how much time you spend working and how much time is spent doing things you love.
If you’re not getting the results you want at work, whether it’s hitting a personal goal or achieving progression in your career – it might be best to invest more time in your job performance.
On the contrary, during busy periods if you feel overstretched at work it might be time to adjust your routine or take a short break to recharge and regain focus.
3. Companies can and should encourage you to value your own time.
Yes, striking your own work-life balance is down to you, but employers can also encourage their workforce to value their own time and to be mindful of working unnecessarily long hours, and prioritise well-being.
For employers, incentivising busy periods with the promise of rewards or time off can be a good way to motivate your team and keep employees happy and productive.
On a positive note, data from CIPD[1] shows that employee well-being is becoming an increasing priority for companies. In November/December 2020, 75% of senior leaders included employee well-being in their agenda.
We never lose sight of our own team’s well-being and drive. If you’re an experienced recruiter looking for your next move, visit our Careers page.
4. When you take a break, take a break.
Data[2] from July 2021 finds that 61% of people check in with work at least once a day whilst on annual leave. A rise in technology and a move to cloud computing has increased our ability to check in with work remotely. Therefore, it is important to make a conscious effort to switch off when we can and to not perpetuate a culture where it’s acceptable or necessary to be available 24-7.
Taking important calls, responding to urgent emails or InMails can be unavoidable at times, but scrolling through LinkedIn or responding to every single Teams notification can usually wait till Monday.
Setting your own personal boundaries goes a long way. Coming back refreshed from a holiday and ready to hit the ground running is arguably a lot more effective in the long run.
5. Find something you enjoy doing and allocate time to it.
Whether it’s something you do before work to set up your workday, or an activity to help you wind down, finding time to do something you love in between work can have a vast improvement on your happiness and productivity at work.
Giving more focus to your spare time helps to create separation between your home and work-life.
Are you looking for your perfect fit?
Speak to one of our legal recruitment consultants about how to take your career to the next level.
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