Work-Life balance requires flexibility in thinking

A lot of people have been talking about work-life balance. Just as in relationships, balance doesn't mean it is always 50-50. In fact, it really means that you have flexibility in order to do what is necessary to get anything done - personally or professionally. These tips will help in creating the work-life balance you need:

1. Awareness is important to consider when you think about work-life balance. Many of us are in a stress or burnout rut and don't know it. Stress that continues unabated becomes burnout making it impossible to take the things you've taken in the past.

2. Recognize how being overwhelmed affects you. When overwhelmed, many people operate from an emotional state instead of one based on the needs of the situation.

3. Work-life balance takes work. Yes, I said it. If you have poor productivity habits at work, you will waste time. Even though your time is your own at home, the same planning and productivity tools are needed to achieve the outcomes you want.

4. Free time often has to be built into the system or it won't occur.

5. Flexibility can often mean the ability to work later or earlier or from home. A lot of people think these are dangerous times to make any suggestion other than the norm. However, when weighing your personal situation, you may decide differently.

6. Another way to inject your own flexibility is to take a day off or a couple of consecutive half days. On these days, make sure you don't let work creep in. I can remember days I was supposed to be taking a half day and getting involved in things and not leaving until 2 pm - bad idea. You must have a plan for the day off and the plan should not include getting all the things done you couldn't get done in the last six weeks. Similarly, don't start the day without a plan. Some people find that they are so tired they sleep half the day and then meander around for the rest of it. If rest is your objective, schedule yourself for an extra hour or so of sleep and schedule a nap in the afternoon. That way, you won't feel like you wasted the day entirely but you are moving at a pace that allows for some leisure.