For some of us, finding that work-life balance can be difficult. It can be hard to know when to shut off from work, especially if you’re still working from home. As an employee, do you worry that you shutting off from work has a negative effect, or view from your superiors, on your attitude or engagement level?

Both leaders and employees are responsible for finding work-life balance. It is unhealthy, unsustainable, and not financially beneficial to overwork yourself, or your employees. 

In a study by Accenture, the study found that work-life balance is a key determiner for more than half of women and men on whether they have a successful career. Another study, by WorkplaceTrends.com, found that there is a disconnect between HR and employees on how they perceive a healthy work-life balance. 67% of people in HR said their employees had a healthy balance, while only 45% of the employees said they didn’t have enough time for “personal activities.”

So, as an employee, it’s important to be in charge of our time. Here are some tips on finding that work-life balance.

1. Be more productive at work.

In order to enjoy your free time, you need to make sure you’re being as productive as possible during your work day. You have to start making the most of your day, by making sure: you get a good night’s sleep, set 2-3 goals for the day, and work on your most important task first. 

2. Exercise

Exercise helps your mental and physical health. It doesn’t need to be a big workout, just as long as you get moving. Even if it’s just ending your day with a walk, it can help you unwind from your day and prepare you for the next day.

3. Learn to say No

Don’t be scared to say no. If you already have a lot on your plate, don’t feel like you need to keep piling it on. At some point, you’re going to be overwhelmed. If someone asks you to do something, make sure to assess your current to-do list. If it’s already starting to feel overwhelming, say no.

The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything. – Warren Buffett.

4. Build downtime in your schedule.

When you’re planning your day, week or even your month, schedule downtime as if it were a meeting or event. Your mental health is important, and you need to prioritize that over everything else. 

5. Set more realistic expectations.

A potential issue is that you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, with your team, or your clients. Take time to include everyone involved to ensure expectations are clear and you’re not overworking yourself or anyone else. 

In order for you to succeed, you need to ensure you have a healthy work-life balance. Being overworked and stressed will, without a doubt, lead to burnout. Take some time to reassess your balance, and readjust as needed.

Source: Medium article by Jeffrey Fermin.