Over the last year, many of us have felt out of control, struggling to find a balance between work and our home lives. Not only are we juggling virtual learning for our kids, but we’re also balancing virtual office settings, all the while trying to maintain any shred of normalcy we can. All of these tasks have left us all to wonder, “Will life ever be the same again?”
While it’s true that the office setting and our home lives might look drastically different now, we can find ways to maintain that healthy work/home life balance. iSpace Office Interiors helps business owners, leaders, and employees feel comfortable and motivated, whether it’s going back to the office a few days a week or working from a new home office set up. Still, we know it takes more than just a new desk and chair to maintain that balance, so here are some of our tips and tricks.
Don’t Marry Your Work
When you work from home, it’s easy to feel married to your work, putting in more than 12 hours a day. We get it. You probably feel like you have nothing else to do, but marrying your work won’t help you maintain a healthy work/home life balance. While you might think you’re getting ahead on the corporate ladder, you’re actually doing more harm to your home and family life. You’re probably feeling more tired than usual and working out less. You might also be at risk of missing out on important family events, which can leave you feeling isolated and alone.
So, step away from the computer and your work, just like you would if you worked in the office. Avoid putting all your time and energy into your work by setting timers or incorporating hours throughout your day to do something else, whether it be household chores, playtime with the kids, or exercising.
Learn to Say “No”
This tip works for everyone, regardless of where you’re getting your work done. You can make this more achievable when you evaluate your priorities both at work and at home. To maintain a healthy balance, cut out or delegate responsibilities or activities you don’t enjoy doing. Work with your boss to find better solutions that will enable you to be productive and give you more time for balance in your life. When new projects or responsibilities come up, don’t be afraid to say “no”, especially if they don’t align with your work or home priorities.
Detach from Work
With technology right at our fingertips, it can be tempting to keep up with work during all hours of the day. There’s a constant flood of emails, messages, social media posts, and information that you can get right on your phone, laptop, or tablet. However, this isn’t good for maintaining a healthy work/home life balance. Instead, be conscious about detaching yourself from work. Make an effort to put the phone down during mealtimes, while you exercise, or while spending time with your family. If your job allows, even ask your boss to disable the email on your phone or set a cut-off time for notifications. This will enable you to be present at home and give you a better balance between all of your adult responsibilities.
Seek Help When You Need It
Employees don’t get rewarded for being overworked and overextended. So, why are you not asking for help when you need it? If you’re struggling to accomplish something or finish a project, communicate with your boss and ask for help. There could be someone on your team that knows just how to achieve the task or is willing to tackle the project. Being open with your boss will not reflect weakness but will show them your capabilities and how much you can handle. This allows them to put you in positions to be more successful rather than watching you fail. That’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Maintain Balance and Motivation with New Office Furniture
Does your staff at the office need a boost? Or do you think your remote employees would benefit from new office furniture? Then check out our entire selection of name-brand furniture pieces and office suites. iSpace Office Interiors can help plan, design, and install new office setups to help your teams maintain that work/home life balance through a newfound motivation and productivity. To learn more about our products and services, contact us at (317) 694-7197.