Maintaining A Work-Life Balance

 

 

 

 

Realizing that COVID19 can be hard to eradicate or make us all safe by getting a vaccine to keep us healthy, we see more of our homes and take our work with us, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or unfavorable situations. Adding to the usual chaos at our workplace is the anxiousness of getting the job done at home can increase anxiety which can be unhealthy for us. The shift can take some time to get used to. Mainly when you have been used to working in your office. And away from all the noise and disorder, which is quite common, especially in a home with growing children.

Apart from focusing on your work to ensure that the business stays afloat, you have to set some time to guide the children with their school work since they, too, have online classes. And with that, the whole family spends more time together. But we know that there should be a boundary between work and family. So, what do we do to achieve a work-life balance?

I am sure you are very familiar with how your dinner table has turned into an office space for you, mainly if you live in a small home. One of the common challenges is not having enough room for everyone to spread out and do what they need to do. That can be disastrous. But, with a small space that you have, it’s the only way how you can get things done. However, given the situation, it is still possible to find some balance and remain productive while keeping your sanity intact.

Making It Through The Day

Working at home doesn’t mean taking things lightly. Whether you are a student, an employee, or an entrepreneur, the only noticeable change is being at home, but the tasks that need to be done remain the same. You just need to find a way to make it work for you. Knowing that everyone can be busy the whole day most of the week, it is best to inform the family about certain things that may need your individual “space.” For example, you may have daily online meetings at a specific time of the day. Let the family know that you cannot be disturbed during this time. In the morning, make it a habit to have some short talk with the family to ask them how they are or if there are things that they may need help from you. You may also find it interesting to share your plans for the day. This way, everyone is well-informed, and everything is put in order. As you start the day, updating one another is a great bonding moment, don’t you agree?

Given that you now have more time at home and saves you from the time of having to commute to the office or to drop off children at school, Use this time to give yourself some healthy time by taking a walk with your furbabies in the morning, or you may want to start doing routine exercise that can help you to become fit and healthy. You may even ask your spouse to join you.

Remember I mentioned how dinner tables can turn into office tables when one lives in a small-spaced home? Instead of leaving your laptop, paperwork, etc., put them away after using it. So you can quickly shift from work to getting some quiet time with the family.

Staying at home during this time doesn’t mean you need to live a sedentary life. You can still enjoy some activities with your family. The usual going to the mall or eating out at your favorite restaurant may not be ideal at this time. Still, you can create activities which the whole family can enjoy. Such as playing a card game, transforming your living room into a camping site, help children learn a new hobby. The list is endless. All you have to do is be creative to make it fun for the family.

Working at home would also mean taking calls from your employees, partners, suppliers, etc. Remember to set boundaries. Take calls like you would during office hours only. There is a need to respect other people’s time after work to have time with the family. Turning off your mobile phone during dinner can effectively dedicate your time with the family. There is a need to sacrifice a bit, and you, as a parent, should also teach your children that mobile phones are not allowed when at dinner.

I understand how difficult life has been ever since COVID19 took over our lives, and some just could not easily cope with the situation. If you feel anxious or stressed to the point that you cannot work like you have to, never hesitate to call for help. Some agencies can help you manage your apprehension to learn to adapt to the “new normal.” It is indeed overwhelming to be suddenly forced to stay at home. But think of it this way. We can help spread the virus by obliging quarantine and health protocols. We need to allow ourselves to have a better perspective. After all, COVID19 has taught us to become more resilient and prepared. While it may take a while to get back on how things were, having our family beside us should be our greatest motivation to become better.

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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.

by email:  business.mentor@butzbartolome.com 

FB Page: Butz Bartolome

website: https://www.butzbartolome.com