What do you do if your work-life balance is suffering in late career?

Struggling with work-life balance can be particularly challenging as you approach the later stages of your career. You've likely invested a significant portion of your life in your work, especially in customer service operations where the demand for your attention can be constant and intense. The stress of maintaining high performance can creep into your personal time, making it difficult to enjoy the rest and relaxation you've earned over the years. It's crucial to address this imbalance to ensure your final working years are fulfilling and that you set yourself up for a healthy retirement.

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Selected by the community from 5 contributions. Learn more

1 Assess Reality

Begin by taking stock of your current situation. Examine your daily routines, work hours, and the emotional toll of your job. Are you staying late consistently? Do you find yourself working on weekends? Reflect on how this affects your personal life. Are hobbies and family time being sidelined? Understanding the extent of the imbalance is the first step towards rectifying it. Remember, acknowledging that there's a problem is not a sign of weakness but a courageous first step towards a more balanced life.

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Condron Nicola

Higher Executive Officer at Revenue Commissioners
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I would suggest a daily/weekly plan and build in time for contingency on both work and home. Only commit to what you can realistically achieve. Advise your Manager and explain you require additional resources or different timelines. Remember that you are just one person and not expected to do everything. If you are a Manager do not be afraid to delegate but be noticeably accessible to your staff or have a mentor or colleague if you cannot be available due to family commitments. Do not micro manage as this will take more of your time, allow the employees to be empowered and supported and trusted to do this and always ensure they know they can ask for help or guidance at any stage.

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YennyNohemy LozanoMayo

Magister y Máster en Proget MANAGEMENT Instituto Europeo y Universidad Umecit de Panama
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Evaluar la realidad entre la vida que llevo y el trabajo que realizó Es importante ser organizado y sacar el tiempo para cada aspecto que manejamos,porque el trabajo necesita dedicarle su tiempo y la vida personal merece atención porque de ella depende la salud si estamos bien físicamente hay equilibrio si lo hay puedo trabajar entonces la vida personal es más importante que la profesional porque la una no funciona sin la otra.

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Tal Porat

Senior Collector at Schindler Israel
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In my experience, when it comes to this point need to be ajustment and focus to begin the thinking to reality. See how work affect you (exausting/unfocusing you and what distribution of time is being given. Secondly, set your own boundaries and warning signs to see where home comes in. Along with that, keep always aware to your health and sleep. Finally, be flex and set hours to distribute your time at work equally balanced so when it comes near retirement you get the satisfaction and joy you need to be happy and sure you did the equivalency

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2 Set Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is essential. This might mean renegotiating your work hours or being firmer about not checking work emails during family time. Customer service operations often require flexibility, but that shouldn't mean sacrificing your personal life. Communicate your needs to your employer, emphasizing the value of having a well-rested and focused employee. Most employers understand the importance of work-life balance and may offer solutions like flexible scheduling or remote work options.

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Gabriela Matus

Asesora Comercial.
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Es importante establecer limites para que el empleador respete los horarios acordados, hay que también contemplar que en alguna ocasión se puede presentar alguna alteración de nuestro horario pero debe ser una excepción y no una costumbre. Ser claras en nuestras contrataciones y conocer la necesidad del empleador es fundamental para saber si se avanza o no con la contratación. Si ambas partes están de acuerdo resultara en un buen clima laboral y no será un pesar para ninguna de las partes.

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YennyNohemy LozanoMayo

Magister y Máster en Proget MANAGEMENT Instituto Europeo y Universidad Umecit de Panama
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Al principio cuando uno se enfrenta a su trabajo como profesional hay una emotividad para demostrarse uno mismo cual es la capacidad que uno ha logrado con esa preparación ,al punto que en ese lapso de tiempo hay demasiada actitud por demostrar y en esos momentos no hay afectación con el equilibrio ni con lo personal Cuando comienza afectarnos lo personal con el trabajo cuándo mezclamos los sentimientos entre los dos aspectos Si. Los sentimientos nos falla nos bloqueamos en lo personal ,esto repercute en la vida laboral y al mezclarlo todo hay un desequilibrio y se nos vuelve un caos todo

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3 Prioritize Health

Your health should be a top priority, especially as you near retirement. Long hours and stress can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. Make time for regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep. If your job in customer service operations is sedentary, incorporate movement into your day, whether it's a walk during lunch or a standing desk. Prioritizing your health not only improves your quality of life but also enhances your performance at work.

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4 Embrace Delegation

If you're in a leadership role within customer service operations, delegation is key to maintaining balance. Trusting your team with responsibilities not only empowers them but also frees up your time. Identify tasks that you can hand off and provide the necessary training to ensure success. This not only alleviates your workload but also prepares the team for your eventual departure, ensuring a smooth transition when you retire.

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5 Explore Flexibility

In late career, you may have more leverage to negotiate the terms of your work. Explore options such as part-time work, job sharing, or consultancy roles within customer service operations. These alternatives can provide more control over your time while still allowing you to contribute meaningfully to your field. Discuss these options with your employer, focusing on how they can benefit from your expertise in a more flexible arrangement.

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6 Plan Retirement

Finally, start planning for retirement if you haven't already. Consider what you want your post-career life to look like and begin making financial and lifestyle adjustments accordingly. If work-life balance is a concern, gradually reducing your work hours as you transition to retirement can help. This gradual shift can ease the adjustment while helping you reclaim time for personal pursuits and interests that you may have neglected due to work demands.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your work-life balance is suffering in late career?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Reality

2 Set Boundaries

3 Prioritize Health

4 Embrace Delegation

5 Explore Flexibility

6 Plan Retirement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Customer Service Operations

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What do you do if your work-life balance is suffering in late career?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Reality

2 Set Boundaries

3 Prioritize Health

4 Embrace Delegation

5 Explore Flexibility

6 Plan Retirement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Customer Service Operations

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