In recent years the term work-life balance has become far more prevalent in our culture. Balancing your time between your profession and other aspects of your life has become increasingly important in the modern world. Gone are the days of clocking out at five o clock and leaving work behind, today it can feel like we are constantly working, with technology giving colleagues, employees, and clients 24/7 access.
The finance industry has a reputation for having a notoriously poor work-life balance, with stories of young professionals working 100-hour weeks being synonymous with the industry. This intense work culture has been depicted countless times in movies and tv shows.
On a more optimistic note, it is encouraging to see more and more companies embracing work/life balance, by recognizing the benefits of having an employee who has a healthy work/life balance. Employees with a strong work/life balance are shown to be less prone to burnout and as a result more productive. Here are some ways you can improve your own work/life balance.
Maintain A Routine
With the rise of remote working, many people have lost the feeling of routine in their lives. You can often find yourself up at all hours of the night trying to finish off that final piece of work. Without proper routines and boundaries, the workday can spill over into personal hours. The fact is that there will always be work to be done but it is up to you to set boundaries when it comes to working. Set aside time in the morning for a coffee or time for the gym, have a set time when you close the laptop, and stop working each day. It is your responsibility to set these boundaries, no one else will do it for you.
Identify Productivity Peaks
Some people are early birds while others are night owls, evaluate when you are most productive and try to schedule your tasks accordingly. For some it makes sense to tackle the biggest task first thing in the morning, others need time to build up some momentum with some smaller tasks, do some experimenting with your schedule and see what works best for you.
Block Out Time
Make sure you identify the tasks that regularly need to get done. Set up a sequence for these activities and then schedule blocks of time throughout the day to get them done. For instance, you may schedule a 2-hour calling block in the morning and one in the afternoon. Similarly, you may schedule an hour each day for prospecting new clients. Whatever the important tasks are, carving out time on your calendar and sticking to it can make a huge impact on productivity.
Have A Long-Term Plan
You can manage the stress of deadlines by creating a long-term plan which encompasses completion dates for all your upcoming projects and tasks. This will allow you to manage your workload realistically by spreading it out over a period of time.
Schedule Social Activities
When work gets especially busy it is tempting to cancel social events, however, you must try to avoid this, having a set time when you can switch off from work will make you more productive and will help you avoid burnout. Try to have at least one social event scheduled each week so that you have something to look forward to.
Define Your Workspace
We are all aware of the impact environment has on the way we feel and behave. This is why having a defined workspace is so important, especially in the age of laptops where you can take your work with you everywhere. Having a defined workspace has a massive impact on our motivation and focus. It also allows you to step away from work at the end of the day. Dedicate certain spaces to working and others for relaxation, this will help you be more productive during the time you are working as well as help you switch off at the end of the day.
Prioritize Your Health
Prioritizing your health is one of the most effective ways you can manage stress levels, having a regular exercise routine will improve your physical well-being as well as your mental health. Physical activity increases endorphin production, which will improve your mood. Exercise also helps to combat the negative side effects of the stress faced by many financial professionals. I would recommend picking up a sport that you can lose yourself in for an hour or two and that gives you access to a community. Martial Arts, Basketball, and CrossFit are all examples of high-intensity sports that you can lose yourself in.
Over To You
Remember work/life balance doesn’t simply come down to the number of hours you work or the weeks of vacation you take, there is no single formula for having a healthy work/life balance. Work/life balance will mean something different for each person. It is up to you to figure out what works best for you, it is also up to you to set the boundaries needed to build that balance.
