Work hard, but only to lead a fuller life

A recent survey found that what working professionals want most is a work-life balance. In today's competitive environment, many are pressured to work longer and find it challenging to strike a balance between work and life. Nevertheless, it is still possible to achieve a healthy dose of work-life balance if one is committed to make it happen.

Get your priorities right: Sometimes, we  are so overwhelmed by work, we forget the commitments we have promised our families and friends. We take it for granted they would understand our situation for missing a birthday party or a graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, this is not the case, especially when you try to explain to your 5-year-old daughter why you missed her ballet performance.

The fundamental issue here is we have to prioritise the important matters in our lives.

Find the right support: Most of us fail to recognise that communication with our employers does help in achieving a successful work-life balance. For those who face difficulties in committing to work full time, try exploring options such as flexi-work arrangements or compressed work week with your employers. Let them know you are willing to commit 100 per cent while at work, but you have other personal commitments to fulfil as well.

Learn to ask for help. Many would agree it would be near impossible to juggle family and work if not for the support of friends, loved ones and an understanding employer.

Focus, focus, focus: We can be more productive at work and probably avoid working late if we remove distractions at work. Diversions such as on-going MSN chats and reading personal e-mails in office are counter-productive to your work. Furthermore, many senior executives get bogged down by issues they can and should delegate to subordinates. By delegating, you free up time and can focus on more strategic issues requiring more attention.

Besides work, we are also distracted by trivial stuff during our free time. Once we prioritise our activities, we must stay focused and avoid spending too much time on unconstructive activities. It is like choosing between attending a family dinner and watching a soccer match on television. While the latter brings 90 minutes of pure adrenaline and enjoyment, the former strengthens family bonds among family members. 

Rest and relax: Give yourself some personal time and space where you are able to relax by doing something you really enjoy. It could be gardening, going to the gym or a movie with your spouse. Set aside some time each week to enjoy these activities. Your personal time allows you to recharge and be ready for the new challenges.

Work-life balance is not a myth. It is achievable, but requires conscious effort and is a continuous process. Demands on your time change and you will need to re-examine your priorities from time to time. And if you are managing people, it is even more important for you to walk the talk. In the long run, work-life balance will help you develop both professionally and personally.