How to balance work and family life

Maintain a healthy work-life balance with these simple tips.

When you are working and you have a family to look after, priorities often shift. While some may think that success in the workplace equates to success at home – many high flyers would disagree.

While of course, financial security has a part to play in being happy, concentrating your efforts on money and success over your family isn’t likely to make you happy in the long run.

Sacrificing time with loved ones to earn more money and provide amazing holidays/material possessions may feel like the right thing to do, but often what your children want more than the latest games console or a trip to Disneyland is time with you.

If you are struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance, take a look at the following tips:

Realise that money doesn’t make you rich

Many people think that if they had lots of money, life would be perfect. This makes people work hard for it, often sacrificing time with their family. In reality, it isn’t money that makes you ‘rich’ it is experiences and memories you share with those you love. Realising this and changing your priorities will get you on the right track for a balanced life.

Be employable

Unless you work for yourself, you are likely to always be vulnerable to someone else controlling your professional destiny. You can however empower yourself by diversifying your skills and giving yourself more choices about where and when you work. Rather than being an employee, make being employable and marketable your top priority so that down the line you can have more flexibility at work.

Recognise that time is short

It is easy to think we have all the time in the world, but the truth is that every day counts and before you know it 30 years will have gone by. Recognise how precious time is and live every day as fully as possible. Use this logic next time you procrastinate spending quality time with your family and make sure you are spending time on things that really matter.

If you need guidance when it comes to balancing work and home-life, a life coach may be able help. Find out more on our work-life balance page.

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