In today's hybrid working world, it's harder than ever to switch off and separate work life from personal life. In this article, we’ll take a look at some strategies you can use to help achieve work-life balance, and some examples of successful entrepreneurs who’ve done just that.
Why Finding Work-Life Balance Is More Crucial Than Ever
In order to balance your time, first you should consider setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and clearly communicating your needs to your employers. It is important to be able to separate work from life to ensure that stress is managed effectively and burnout is prevented. This will help you spend your working days efficiently and productively, whilst still managing to spend quality time with loved ones or fulfilling personal interests.
When asked about maintaining work life balance with hybrid working, BusinessesForSale.com Social Media Manager Paul Smith said: “It can be hard, but the most important thing to do is to structure your day, to decide when you will have lunch.” This can help ensure that your personal structure cooperates with your working schedule.
He also expressed the importance of “aiming to do something prior to work, without the routine of commuting, such as a morning walk,” to provide balance and a small preparation before starting work. “Interacting with people, with your colleagues, is so important as it is one thing you can miss when working remotely.”
Shakiel Reid, Marketing Manager at BusinessesForSale.com, recognised the importance of flexibility in terms of managing your own personal time into work hours when working remotely. He stated that one of the most important things to maintain for a good work-life balance is to have trust and understanding from your company, as this will enable you to result in better work engagement once the balance is found.
Entrepreneurs Who’ve Achieved Work-Life Balance
In a recent BusinessForSale.com video interview , Chairman Marcus Markou spoke to Melanie Auld, the founder of Spice Pots, to discuss the growth of her online retail business from home.
She said that she is not just focused on balancing her time, but all aspects of her life such as “exercise, friends and experiences,” all of which have been key factors in her success. “The way you are is mirrored back to you – if you are feeling frantic your production and workload will also be frantic,” said Melanie, further emphasising the importance of work life harmony.
She expressed the importance of being able to delegate as an entrepreneur, and to “stop interfering with what everyone’s doing”. The act of detachment from other people’s jobs is crucial to ensuring that this balance is maintained at work and at home, ensuring that employees are not overwhelmed with work which invades into personal lives.
Melanie’s e-commerce business is a good example of how you can separate your work life from your personal life, whilst simultaneously acknowledging the importance of it. Finding this balance can lead to positive results and minimised risk of the business’ profits and presence.
Best Work-Life Balance Job Examples
Some people may think work-life balance is a myth, however these work life balance job examples prove that it can be achieved.
Tech, marketing and creative industries such as graphic design and content creation can sometimes provide strong work-life balance. Key factors of this include flexible working hours, remote work options, creative work and high paying roles with perks – to name just a few work-life balance examples.
Some examples of companies which provide good work-life balance include Google, Deloitte, Salesforce, HubSpot and many more. These companies are praised for their tendency to prioritise flexibility, employee wellbeing and the respect of personal time.
Although working remotely can have negative impacts on an employee's ability to separate their personal time from their work life, it is also apparent that working from home can give you more control over your schedule, providing individuals more freedom within their day to day lives.
If you are struggling to find a job which helps you balance your work life from your personal life, using platforms like Glassdoor can help with providing employee reviews and help you navigate the perfect job with the perfect balance.
Work-Life Balance Quotes to Inspire
Don’t just take our word for it - if you need some extra motivation, here are five inspiring quotes to help you achieve the essential work-life balance:
“The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you’re the pilot” - Michael Altshuler, Motivational Speaker
“Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices” - Betsy Jacobson, Business Consultant
“Work life balance is not an entitlement or benefit. Your company cannot give it to you. You have to create it for yourself” - Matthew Kelly, Author
“We have never been taught how to relax, how to take care of ourselves in a positive, nurturing way (not just going on vacation or out for an expensive dinner). Twenty minutes of deep relaxation a day will aid your mental growth, improve your physical health and emotional stability” - L. Johnson Mason, Motivational Speaker
“Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete; it’s a sense of harmony. It is essential to maintaining quality in life and work” - Joshua Osenga, Author
FAQs
What is the definition of work-life balance?
The equilibrium of time spent working and the time spent fulfilling personal interests; the balance work life contrasting personal life.
How many hours is a good work-life balance?
40 hours working per week is recommended for a positive work-life balance, as it leaves around 70 hours to pursue your own needs/hobbies.
Why is work-life balance important?
Prioritising your time and separating your work life and personal life is essential to ensuring work related stress does not follow you home. This will improve your overall wellbeing, including physical, mental, and emotional health.