TED Conferences’ Post

Set time restrictions to hold yourself accountable for being present when it counts. Work shuts off at (insert time). If you have pending projects that MUST get done, which means staying late, take care of business and then go home. If this is happening every day, you are either understaffed or have taken on too much responsibility. You also have to ask yourself, "Is this truly a crisis that needs to be addressed today?" Procrastination is never the answer, but to my fellow habitual over-workers, rest is not procrastinating—it's refueling. Self-care is not frivolous; it's necessary to maintain your sanity. Making your family and friends a priority is not selfish because when this job goes away or you retire, you need a village, not an overused office chair.

I make the hour that I play tennis in the morning sacred. I don’t schedule meetings before 10 and it has not been a problem. The important lesson I’ve learned is to create healthy boundaries so that I can have a balance between my career and home life. I also take my four weeks of vacation time every year. It is important to completely disconnect a couple of times a year.

To manage my time better, I set alarms for lunch, breaks, and the end of the workday. Without these reminders, I tend to lose track of time, often forgetting to eat and ending up with 10+ hour workdays. These alarms help me take necessary breaks and prevent me from getting lost in work and emails. Additionally, I've configured modes and routines on my phone to block access to my work emails during non-working hours. This ensures I can spend quality time with my family and relax for my own well-being.

The most impactful thing I tend to remember for myself is that no matter how stressed or tired I feel, either at the beginning or end of the day, those things that feel the hardest but that I know are for my best WILL be rewarded by my own self-gratitude. It can begin to feel a bit like a dark cave with a dead end, but turning around in the cave towards the entrance (shifting mindset from my own self-pity of circumstance to self-improving productivity) will bring me back to the sunlight of a great and fulfilling day. We only have so long in the day, but there are so many things that take very little time to do that can completely transform our outlook on what the day is worth. A small five-minute stretching session, taking a walk, taking a little time to exercise with weights, journaling, and personal poetry are just a few ways I find my own peace even on the worst days. All it takes is your own commitment to the discipline of your own well-being, and the belief that you can do it! You're only as locked-down and limited as you believe/allow yourself to be. TL/DR just remember to be kind to yourself first! Then you can conquer anything you need to with much ease

I used to prioritize work tasks above everything else on my list. But let's face it, no matter how much time you spend at work, there's always something new coming your way. Not every task requires your immediate attention. It got to a point where I forgot who I was and what made me happy. Now, I still meet deadlines and make myself available, but I make sure to attend my workout class, which sets a positive tone for my day. I've also started waking up a bit earlier to reduce stress. These simple changes have improved my performance at work and made my days more enjoyable. It's important to carve out time for yourself and your loved ones in order to have a more fulfilling work experience. 💫

Personally I find that sometimes the job demands more, and sometimes my home life demands more. I try to think about work/life balance in aggregate rather than a day at a time. I think more of a year at a time. Sure, I might be on a project where I am needed at work a lot; then there are times when my kids need me or there are things going on with my health that demand my attention. As long as, over the course of the year, it balances out - I'm happy. It also really helps me to have an annual mental reset - what are the things that matter to me? What do I want to achieve? What roles do I need to play? Having a sense of all this helps me keep an eye on how it's all balancing out.

Publicize your personal priorities (off on Sunday, family time on Friday night, etc.) and stick to these publicly revealed choices. I knew a president of a large real estate company in Dallas who was constantly bothered with calls at home at off-hours and weekends. This person made a firm decision to NOT answer the phones during off-hours and weekends and this person's life stayed in balance.

When the workday is done, leave work at work and focus on the importance of being present at home with your family. Never sacrifice the opportunities to make memories with those you love for a job that would replace you the same day you were no longer an employee.

My tip is to get clarity on your goals and values and stop trying to compartmentalize different parts of your life. When you allow your life to be fully, integrated and aligned with your goals and values, synergies happen and that’s when the magic starts!

Prioritize, set boundaries, and use tech wisely to stay organized. Don't forget to take breaks, communicate openly, and focus on well-being. Easier to say that to do, but always good to have in mind as life happens!