What Is Really Behind Your Lack of Work / Life Balance

Have you ever said to yourself that you need to find a new job because this job doesn’t support your need for a better work / life balance?

I call BS on that!

I will suggest that the root cause of your work / life balance is you.

I hear you. You are probably thinking

“My boss expects me to respond immediately”

OR

“The company is understaffed and I have to do the work of 2 jobs”

Let’s explore other possible reasons:

• Hold a perspective that this is the only choice and this is what is demanded

• Lack of discipline to set boundaries

• Need to be needed, valued, and recognized (hyper-achiever)

• Discomfort with saying no (people pleaser)

• Spending too many hours striving for perfection (stickler)

• So many more

So What Do I Do?

🔎 Evaluate your assumptions, interpretations, and limiting beliefs. Why do you think this is the only choice? What other perspectives may also be true? Why do you think setting a boundary would be poorly received? If you are in a job that is directly serving your customers and constantly work yourself to death to meet those timelines, who are you serving? If you are realistic, perhaps that staffing shortage will be resolved.

🤔 Consider alternative strategies. What might happen if you indicate you can’t do something today, but could have it complete by the end of the week? In most cases, that is actually OK. If it is urgent, can some other tasks be deferred to later?

📆 Protect your time. Using whatever strategy you prefer, save time each day for you. I block time off on my calendar, including my lunch hour. Find a way to separate your work life from your personal life. If you work from home, make sure your computer stays out of your living space. Close it up and walk away at the end of the day.

🙅‍♀️ Boost your discipline. Don’t check email or messages after hours. Turn off notifications after hours or altogether both on your phone and computer. When you are working on something important, resist the impulse to check your email or messages. Set aside time in the morning, mid-day, and end of day to be reactive. Use the rest of your time to be proactive.

🧗🏻‍♂️ Evaluate your motivations. Are you agreeing to an unreasonable workload or timelines because it makes you feel valued? Do you feel you won’t be appreciated if you don’t say yes to every request? Does it make you feel needed? Are you telling yourself that you are the only person who can do a particular task correctly? If any of these thoughts are running through your mind and it creates anxiety or resentment, consider a new thought? What is really true vs. a perception by you? What thought would serve you better? What would serve your colleagues or manager better?

Coaching Can Help.

If you are struggling with finding a path to a better work / life balance, coaching can help. Schedule a free coaching discovery call to learn more about how coaching can help you define strategies to improve your overall work and life satisfaction.