WORK/LIFE BALANCE

We hear so much about it, but what does work/life balance really mean, and how   do you get it ?

Work / Life balance is all about having a measure of control over when, where and how we work, allowing us to enjoy the quality of life we want, both in and away from employment.

Research suggests that if we get it right , we can enjoy a calmer, more focussed approach to work, a sense of having more time, more thinking space, heightened productivity, less stress AND we’ll feel more in control of all those daily demands.  Now who wouldn’t want some of that !

So, whilst on that infamous roller-coaster of a ride called Jobsearch, what can you do to address your own quest for work / life balance?

Here’s some food for thought:

 

• First of all, ask yourself “what does work life balance mean for me?”   Picture yourself in the ideal scenario….. what would it look like and how would that impact you and a new employer ? 

 

• Be creative and consider all your options – we’re not just talking part time working now….. there’s jobshare, term-time working, staggered hours, reduced hours and of course, working from home.  An organisation that pays attention to this growing concern needs to look at all sorts of flexi-working solutions to both attract and hold onto its workforce.  You may need to make a case to an employer, so consider the benefits to them as well as yourself.

 

• Research  - Check out those employers who have a commitment to work life balance  / family friendly policies etc  What evidence do you see in an organisation which suggests that this could be a place for you to work?   

 

• Be realistic  - remember, you can have anything you want, but you can’t have everything you want !  Know your priorities.

 

• Be organised – job search itself is a major occupation, so time management is key.

 

• Be assertive – if you’ve all sorts of people making demands on your time and your energy, see what it’s like to say “no” a little more often.

 

• Take time out for YOU – create some thinking space to consider what you want to happen next.

 

• Prioritise –  remind  yourself of the importance of this at the start of each day, and be a realistic “Superperson”.