Work-Life Balance: At Work

Keeping balance when at work is difficult. Outside influences always try to creep in and destroy productivity. Becoming sidetracked, however, simply creates job-related stress that further increases the level of imbalance you experience. Fortunately, there are a few useful tips that will help you regain your sense of balance while at work.

Leave Home Stress at Home

Everyone has personal problems that create stress and hinder job performance. If these issues are severe, it may be necessary to take a leave of absence. In most cases, however, there are better strategies to help leave the home stress at home.

Strategies:

• Get up early: Get up early enough to take a few minutes and prepare for a new day. Focus on what is ahead and not the past.
• Take advantage of the commute: View the commute as a chance to enter your “work zone.” That is, mentally gear up for the workday. 
• Communicate appropriately: Discuss your problems with a friend or confidant outside of work. Do not vent about home stress to your coworkers.
• Find outlets: Discover useful ways to alleviate stress, such as exercise. This will help keep you focused throughout the workday. 

Break up Large Tasks

Projects and deadlines can be overwhelming. If you have a large task ahead of you, you might be tempted to procrastinate. This will only create more stress. A better solution is breaking up the task.

Tips:

• List the steps that are necessary to complete the task.
• Schedule time for each step.
• Complete the easiest step first, and then move on to the next easiest. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.
• Do not look ahead. Focus on the task at hand.

Delegate

People can avoid stress by simply delegating responsibility. This sounds simple, but many people, particularly those in management, have problems delegating authority. They do not trust others to do the job. There are a few tips that will help anyone feel more confident about delegating. 

Steps:

• Choose tasks to delegate: Do not delegate sensitive or extremely difficult tasks.
• Choose people to help: Find responsible people you trust to handle the tasks for you.
• Give instructions: Make sure that you communicate clear instructions with deadlines. 
• Be available: Let people know that they can come to you with questions, but do not hover over them.

Set Accurate Goals

Accurate goals decrease stress. This involves estimating the time that it will take to complete the tasks. There are a few steps that will help you set accurate goals.

Steps:

• Familiarize yourself with the requirements.
• List the actions that need to happen.
• Estimate the time necessary for each action you need to take.
• Estimate the total time necessary for a task.

Until next time... 

 

Sheryl Tuchman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP