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Achieving Work-Life Balance: Does Your Career Overshadow Your Personal Life?

September 7, 2017February 25, 2019 by Alyce Vayle One Comment

Work-life balance is one of those things that everyone has heard about but that nobody knows how to really achieve. More often than not, people assume that it is a synonym for work-family balance, which would mean that if you don’t have children, then you don’t need to worry about it. Naturally, the assumption is incorrect! We all need work-life balance, whether we work full-time, part-time or “technically” not at all. Balance will benefit your entire life.

Everyone has a life of their own, and goals they want to achieve. That’s exactly what a healthy work-life balance is about: Making the most of your personal life while maintaining your professional career. How does it work?

In theory, it all seems easy, as most people assume that work occurs between 9 AM and 5 PM, leaving all other hours for your personal life. In reality, overtime, work emails on evenings and during weekends, and professional travels come in the way of enjoying your personal life. Worse, sometimes your professional career can take over your life and overshadow everything else. Are you Hard at work or too hard-working?

Work-life balance tip #1: Don’t let your health go

Do you know how many people forget about their health or ignore issues because they think – or are made to think – that work is more important? A staggering 70% of employees put their health second when the career is in the way. Don’t fall into the trap of letting your work comes first.

Your health matters and you need to take it seriously day after day for your personal and professional benefits. However, there are different kinds of health matters, from a simple cold to something more intimate about sexual health.

While they can’t help with your cold, there are clinics that can provide the confidentiality, care and non-judgmental approach that you need when dealing with intimate problems. It can be difficult to discuss the health of your sexual organs with your general practitioner, that’s why a specialist clinic can provide you with the support you need to get on with your life.

Work-life balance tip #2: Don’t ignore creeping depression

Mental health tends to be ignored in the professional world. Feeling a little depressed? No, that can’t be it, you’re just not trying hard enough. Most people who struggle with depression try to ignore the feelings of emotional overwhelm or wanting to end their life, hoping that everything will fall back into place in the next days.

It doesn’t unless you take the time to look after yourself. How you feel emotionally is an important part of your life, and can have a significant impact on your everyday life, privately and professionally.

Work-life balance tip #3: See those you love more often

Working hard and earning large pay cheques just can’t make you happy. A survey done by William Buck established that 83% of highly qualified IT employees would happily take a pay cut to spend more time with their family and friends. The survey continues in demonstrating that these same IT people had not had the time to plan their finances. The main learning is that working overtime means that you have less time for those you love, for what matters in life and simply for planning your life.

Don’t let overwork stunt your happiness!

The three main areas that tend to suffer when you let your career become the priority in your life are letting your health go unnoticed, not managing your depressive state, and lacking time for your social life. But at the core of these issues is a problem of priorities in life. As much as your career matters, your sense of satisfaction, health and well-being should be your number one priority!