With modern work demands growing by the day, it is difficult to sometimes envisage a life, in which you can achieve a balance between your home life and work life.
If you have a job, or career, it will probably be something that takes up most of your time in your life. Your job is also important in terms of your self-image, your sense of self, as well as your sense of fulfilment or happiness.
If you are content with work, then the time sacrifices you make won’t seem to unhinge the work / life balance. However, if you are discontent with work (too much stress, too much workload, or conversely you are not sufficiently challenged), then this time at work will weigh upon you and it will seem that your time is balanced in favour or work, leading to more stress and frustration.
In order to reclaim a balance, it is important to ascertain not only what you want from your career, but to balance things in terms of what is important to you at the moment.
That means, you will need to set priorities and focus on the priorities that are important to you at this present time. For example, becoming a parent is a life-changing event, and some of your priorities might change. What was important work-wise in terms of getting to the top of the career ladder might change, when you find you need to change your time and energy to maintain an appropriate balance between your child, partner, family and career.
Likewise, you might be just starting out on your career path and your goal is to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible, so you won’t see the time impost at work, as imposing on your personal life.
The important thing is to understand that the work / life balance will constantly change throughout your life and to balance your career with your life is a matter of your priorities, needs and wants.
Below, is a list of questions that will help you to identify those aspects of your job and life that are currently important to you. From this, you will be able to assess where you are at the moment, and what you need to change, to make sure you get the appropriate balance in your life, as well as appropriate job satisfaction.
How important is? (Number 1 not important – through to Number 5 extremely important)
- How much you earn
- Your commuting time between home and work
- Your working hours
- Your working conditions
- Your responsibilities and tasks
- Your job security
- Opportunity for promotion
- Opportunity for more challenging tasks
- Flexible working hours
- Part-time working hours
- Full-time working hours
- An ethical workplace, compatible with my values
- Enjoying the work
- Job prestige or job title
- Type of people you work with
- Opportunities for professional development
How satisfied are you at the moment? (Number 1 not satisfied – through to Number 5 extremely satisfied)
- How much you earn
- Your commuting time between home and work
- Your working hours
- Your working conditions
- Your responsibilities and tasks
- Your job security
- Opportunity for promotion
- Opportunity for more challenging tasks
- Flexible working hours
- Part-time working hours
- Full-time working hours
- An ethical workplace, compatible with my values
- Enjoying the work
- Job prestige or job title
- Type of people you work with
- Opportunities for professional development
Once you have examined what your current priorities by using this questionnaire above, you will be able to appraise where you stand and what is currently important to you at the moment.
If overall you are not satisfied, then it is highly likely that the time sacrifices you are making at work, will be unhinging your work / life balance. If this is the case, then it is probably time for a career change or adjustment.
That career adjustment might mean reducing work hours, changing to a job closer to home, or investigating a whole new career.
Once that career adjustment aligns with your current priorities, then you will be able to achieve a work / life balance that suits your life.
Leave a Reply