Get a better work/life balance - improve the way you work

When clients answer the question 'what would make your lives more enjoyable and less stressful?' they often reply: 'a better work/life balance.'

It seems many of us lead hectic lifestyles and often a mindset develops where it seems impossible to have a simpler, less hectic lifestyle. However, if you follow some of these simple steps, you too can appreciate life in a different, more acceptable way.

Make a list of your tasks and prioritise them in order of urgency. Being organised will make you feel more in control, but you need to know what must be tackled first and what can be left for later.

Change your routine. If the way you do things isn't working, decide to tackle things in a different way. An example would be a client who asked her children to make their own packed lunches so that she could use the time to check emails.

Slow down, you move too fast. In the words of the song, we all have a tendency to develop a rushed mindset due to our busy lives. Don't be a slave to the high expectation you have of yourself. Remember the tortoise and the hare fable? Who reached the finish line first?

Take time out of a busy day for a little 'me' time. It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling guilty but we all deserve some time to ourselves, no matter how short.

Change the way you see your day. In his book: 'Do It Tomorrow,' Mark Forster says : 'people think they have many hours of work and then time off. By looking at the situation in reverse, you reclaim your time by giving as much priority to time spent away from work.'

So what will you decide to differently, no matter how small, in order to create a better, more fulfilling work/life balance?