Balancing your career with your personal life can often seem like somewhat of an impossible goal, especially now that technology means that we’re virtually accessible 24/7.

According to Harvard Business School, 94% of working professionals work more than 50 hours a week, and nearly half work more than 65 hours a week. However, it’s widely reported that this type of constant work-related stress can take its toll on our relationships, health and happiness.

Achieving a better work-life balance can be tough. Here are just three ways you can bring a little more balance to your daily routine:

Create two calendars 

One of the first things you should do is have two calendars – one that’s filled with work-related dates and the other, for family/non-work activities. And stick to both of them. In doing so, you’ll be accountable to both work and family/personal life and, more importantly, will be making time for both.

Reassess your habits

Are you one of those people who go to quickly Google something on their phone, only to find that an hour or so later, they’re still browsing? It’s things like this, that we don’t necessarily realise we do, that take up our precious time. The same goes for practical activities, such as food shopping. Do you find yourself popping to the supermarket several times a week? What about if you condensed it down to just one visit a week and told yourself you were going to stick to it – imagine how much time and hassle you’d save yourself there…

Learn to switch off – literally

With smartphones, tablets and other technological devices available at your fingertips, it can be very difficult to switch off once you’ve left the office. As unsettling as it may feel, being firm with yourself and turning off your mobiles and laptops, if you can, will help you properly switch off and focus on enjoying true, uninterrupted quality time without answering your phone or checking your inbox every ten minutes.  

Do what you love doing most

As obvious as it sounds, surrounding yourself with activities and people you love most, will give you the most pleasure. However, many people don’t get to do what they truly love because they simply haven’t got the time to think about it, let alone when they’re going to do it! Sit down, have a think about what you love doing most, perhaps it’s going for a long walk with your dog, trying new recipes or playing the guitar, whatever it is, make sure you set some time aside to do it, you’ll feel the benefit of doing so immediately.

Achieving a work-life balance fundamentally depends on you identifying what you should be doing less of, what you should be doing more of, and making those life changes (which only need to be made bit by bit) in order to get to where you want to be.

Got any questions or want to find out more? Call us on 02476 596822. In the meantime, do you know the best ways to ensure you’re interview-ready? Discover what they are by reading our blog, ‘Tips for preparing for your next interview.’