Maintaining Work-Life Balance
#1 Prioritize the people in your life.
Habits are the very definition of our personality. We call someone as successful, productive just by their daily behavior and routine, they possess.
I have been always fascinated by the Habits of the Super Achievers. Being someone from the opposite spectrum, I often highjacked their thought process to better my own life.
Better Learn than Fail.
Here is one such experience and Learning from such a person.
Recently I had joined the World of corporate. And in a competitive atmosphere, it takes a lot to strive. One such person is the Team Lead that I am working under. She is the epitome of being successful on all fronts.
She is a Project Manager for a big MNC, a wonderful human being but most importantly she is the mother of two beautiful kids.
To top it off, she practices Yoga and does charity. Also, she used to commute for 10 Kms to work before Pandemic.
It fascinated me as to how someone that looks so preoccupied is more responsible and productive than me. And that shook me a lot.
More than fascinated, I was motivated to learn from her. So I asked my Guru on the one-fine day — “How are you so Productive?”.
She laughed out loud and said, “I have never thought about it in that way. I just do my work and I am very fortunate for my family ”.
Her simple words echoed in my head. The fancy terms of the modern monk faded against it.
Too often we are fixated on the process but never put in the actual effort. Her mantra was admirable yet simple. The habits that she had acquired were very basic yet had an echoing effect on her Life.
After I have spent enough time with her, here is what I learned from this productivity monster.
Learn to Say NO!
Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash
You have 24 hrs in a day that you need to spread across your daily chores.
That means in a limited time you have to divide your attention. And If you say to almost everything in the world. Your attention will be commanded by
Set your priorities Right.
We often say Yes to things that we don’t care about. Be it saying yes to after office parties or Extra projects above your already busy schedule.
Knowing one’s limit is very essential. You don’t want to miss your daughter’s soccer game over a meeting where you are not even required.
Your family, close friends, and your company needs to be prioritized based on their importance. Especially If you have a family of your own.
Plus It lets your loved ones know their importance. Calling up an old friend mid-week might also release some pressure on you.
Setting aside time for yourself should come at the top of your list. Not something you should neglect.
Pursue a hobby that makes you feel better.
In life, it is as important to be Strong as it is to feel Strong.
Bad Days are Not Forever.
Photo by Dominik Höcht on Unsplash
It might happen that you got trapped in a production issue.
Or your Fiance broke off your marriage.
Or Even worse, the canteen guy refuses to give you extra dessert.
Bad days will be there. No matter how planned and progressing you are. They are bound to occur irrespective of your effort and plans. That one mail that you forgot to inform your clients about can turn into a nightmare. And there is nothing you can do about it.
The moral here is to just let go. Take a deep breath and say
“It will be all okay…….”.
Worrying about events that have already occurred has no meaning. Rather than that seize every moment of your present.
And what has gone is gone.
Skill Up or Go Home.
Photo by Rowen Smith on Unsplash
The advent of this pandemic had broken many misconceptions.
No Job is stable. Everyone is replaceable. And Learning has no boundaries.
If you want to strive in an industry that considers old things in terms of months. You constantly need to up your game. Obtaining New skills in form of vocational or technical, you need to learn to thrive.
The best part of living in this era is our abundance of resources. The Internet has left us at a level-ground where anyone can learn. And If you are reading this article in Medium, you are on the right track.
Even If you are someone like my manager who has someone who has a very stable job. She can still be replaced by someone more advanced and younger with more potential. She is always focusing on how she can excel herself and takes a ton of feedback for it.
Plus it keeps you motivated for new challenges.
If you in the finance domain learn about crypto.
If you are a wedding photographer learn about cinematic shots.
Challenge yourself and get the max out of your job.
Family Time is to be Left Sperate
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Don’t take your work home is what we are told. But it has become very difficult for remote workers. Working from Home and maintaining a proper routine is a feat.
The meetings are happening right by your family’s game night. Your child may snatch away your work files while you are presenting. Your family has become a part of your hectic routines.
For that reason, It is very important to maintain a proper break time with your family. Go on a small trip, or make a barbeque. If not anything fancy, have a Chai Time with your home colleagues.
Sparing time for your loved ones, for whom you work your butt off is a no-brainer. So go to your google calendar and block at least 2 Hours as DND and wind down with your peeps.
Fitness is a Necessity Not an Option
Photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash
Having good health is almost synonymous with a good life. Having an optimum BMI, eating essential foods, and maintaining good emotional health are all necessary aspects.
Our work predominantly doesn’t dictate fitness. Glued onto a computer for the entire week isn’t particularly a healthy lifestyle. Hence, it has become an absolute necessity to adapt to a healthy lifestyle.
That may include eating wholesome healthy diets. Moving your body around by exercising, cycling, or even a little stroll down the block. And, taking care of your mental health by meditation and yoga.
These Habits are not instant gratification agents. But in a long term, they will help you to evolve as a better human being. Plus the human body on which our entire existence is dependent needs maintenance from time to time.
Small Progress is Better Than None.
Nobody is born a fitness freak, a programmer at Google who can speak 5 languages. They develop it over time. Learning has no bounds, And building evergreen habits is key to it.
You don’t need to have a drastic change in your lifestyle. Developing atomic habits and rendering to them can have a long-term effect.
Making your bed in the morning, setting aside just 2% of your salary for charity, or even just going for a walk daily.
These small changes crawl up together to form one big change. You can’t climb up a mountain if you can’t trace the length in flat land. Making Slow progress is Okay until you have the courage to move forward.
If someone who cooks for 5 people, travels 10 Kms, runs a mile each day can become a productivity beast in the office and still wear a smile. Then why not you and me.
“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” — Henry Ward Beecher.
We all have struggles in life. But what separated the elites is their perseverance. Their attitude of Not Taking No for an answer. Getting things Done. These attitudes can only be backed up by the right habits that you build along the way.
Thank You!!
