How to have a good work-life balance

How’s your work-life balance?

If you work a 9-5 (or full-time job) you’re spending approximately 40 hours a week at your job.

Let’s just take a moment to do some quick (maybe not-so-quick) math. 

There are 168 hours in a week. 

If 40 of those are working, then you’re at 128 hours.

Let’s say that you have to communicate a total of 15 minutes both ways to work. That puts you at 126.5 hours.

Now, let’s say you sleep an average of 7 hours a night (I hope you get more, but this is just an average – we all have those sleepless nights). That’s 49 hours. You’re now at 77.5 hours.

Let’s say you take one hour of eating every day, an average of one hour of housework, and an average hour in the bathroom…you know, getting ready, showering, using the bathroom. (This number is mostly arbitrary, but for my math purposes, I’m going to stick with it). So 3 hours a day for eating, chores, and miscellaneous tasks on your to-do list. 

After that you’re left with 56.5 hours in a week to do whatever it is you want. 

With my (somewhat arbitrary) math. On weekdays you’re working 8 hours, commuting 30 minutes, sleeping 7 hours, and doing miscellaneous but mandatory things for 3 hours. That’s 18.5 hours total – leaving you with 5.5 hours in your day to recharge, socialize, or do whatever it is that brings you joy. 

You also have 14.5 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday.

Okay, so what’s the point of all this silly math?

According to my calculations on a weekday you have 5.5 hours to do what you want.

How are you using that 5.5 hours?

Keep in mind things like overtime work, extra time practicing a presentation, or doing something “above and beyond” for work is going to cut into your 5.5 hours. 

Also, I’d like to note that the 5.5 hours could be less. If you sleep 8 hours instead of 7, or you take a longer time to make dinner, or you have more tidying to do.

I also didn’t take children into account in my math. If you have to do school pick-up, extra-curricular activities, making lunches, doing laundry for more people…etc, then your 5.5 hours could be whittled down to significantly less.

The purpose of all of this month is to show you that your work and responsibilities are already taking up almost all of your time.

You’re hardly left with enough hours in a day to do the things you love.

How do you avoid your work imposing on your personal life?

Work-life balance. 

Three ways to maintain a good work-life balance.

1. Set boundaries

Setting boundaries is going to be one of the most important things you do when it comes to maintaining work-life balance.

You can set boundaries with your time and tasks to ensure that you’re not being overworked or expected to do things that are outside of your job description.

I recommend looking at your contract and ensuring that your current role fits within your contract. Things like working overtime or taking on too much work are going to prevent you from maintaining a work-life balance.

You’re allowed to say “no.” You’re allowed to put yourself first.

2. Practice time management 

Practicing time management is going to help you at work, and away from work.

When you’re at work, practicing time management will allow you to complete your required tasks and avoid having to take work home or spend time stressing if you’re going to get things done on time. (NOTE: This only applies when you’re being given a fair amount of work and your employer isn’t expecting to overwork you).

Time management will also help you at home. If you find that you’re constantly being sucked into things like scrolling social media and you’re not being filled by these activities, time management will help you focus your attention on things you love.

Learning time management takes time and discipline, but it can be a useful tool to help you better navigate your work-life balance. 

3. Stop being a perfectionist 

Your perfectionism may lead you to burnout or take on more than you need to. Rather than ensuring every single thing you do is absolutely perfect, be willing to do a good job.

It’s impossible to do everything perfectly.

By constantly striving for perfectionism, you’re not going to be able to find the time or energy to rest and enjoy life. 

You shouldn’t suffer to be perfect. 

Why would you want to have a good work-life balance?

Having a good work-life balance is going to help you be more present during every moment, step away from your work when you need to, reduce your stress, and just help you feel more authentically you.

When work is all-consuming, it’s hard to have the time and energy to pour into the things that bring you life.

I recognize that it can be challenging to step away from your work—especially because it is a thing that you spend a lot of your time doing. But I promise you, when you learn how to balance your work and your life, you’re going to find that you have more time and energy to just be you!

You can love your job and have work-life balance. You can be driven and hard-working and still have work-life balance. You can be a good employee and still have work-life balance.

Setting boundaries, practicing time management, and avoiding perfectionism are going to help you maintain a healthy relationship with your work allowing you to bloom.

Learn more.

A work-life balance is going to help you be your best self. I encourage you to pour the time and energy into creating boundaries, managing your time, and learning when things are good enough. 

If you’re interested in reading more about work-life balance, hustle culture, burnout, and more, then I encourage you visit the blog portion of my website.  

Thank you for reading this far, I hope you find your balance.