You Want It All? It is Possible for Women in the Workplace

Trying to find the perfect work-life balance can be a challenge at the best of times. However, for women who are trying to build their career, the concept of achieving balance between the workplace and home is especially tough. There is the challenge of making a successful career in a male-dominated workplace, demands at home if you have a family, and overcoming your own fears.

So, does this mean that the sacrifices are too great to achieve work-life balance? How can women “have it all” and still find time for their own personal life?

This article examines 5 ways that can help you achieve work-life balance and juggle responsibilities to achieve success in both the workplace and personal life.

5 Ways for Women to Achieve Work-Life Balance

First, it has to be said that work-life balance doesn’t mean dividing up all portions of your time equally. Work-life balance is an art of dividing up time so that your work life and your personal life doesn’t suffer. Here are 5 ways you can attain that:

1. Set Your Own Clear Expectations

First, each person has their own expectations when it comes to work-life balance; therefore, you need to set your own goals. This means to set the amount of time in a day, week, or month you need to dedicate to your work and personal life. Once you have an idea of how you want to divide your time, you can then plan accordingly.

Of course, none of these goals need to be ‘written in stone.’ They may evolve as your success grows, however, they will give you focus to be successful in both the workplace and at home.

2. Structure Your Time

Having clear goals will help you structure your time properly to achieve balance at work and in your personal life. For some women, this means having a set day or time when all devices are off. For example, this could be every evening after a certain time.

At the start, this may cause frustration with your boss or work colleagues who think you are available 24/7. However, it won’t take long until your business associates know your schedule and respect that. Remember, that unless you are an emergency room doctor, there are very few tasks in the workplace that can’t be dealt with tomorrow.

3. Learn the Importance of Networking

Being an entrepreneur or having a busy work schedule is almost impossible without a strong network. In fact, networking is one of the best work-life balance tools that you can use. However, like every tool, you have to use it properly for it to be useful.

For example, there are social media networking platforms like LinkedIn that make it possible to connect with industry leaders and others in your industry. This can open up new opportunities, expand your influence, and get workplace support.

Then there are other networking platforms that are great for keeping in touch with family and friends. The challenge with networking is to learn when and how to use it to your advantage without jeopardizing family activities or your workflow.          

4. Embrace New Technology

New technological innovations have meant that it can be easier to achieve work-life balance for everyone. Of course, technology has sometimes clouded the line between work life and personal life. But, here are 2 ways that technology can help you achieve work-life balance:

• Collaboration tools for the workplace. Cloud computing, online sharing, and conferencing software have meant that your time can be used more efficiently. This means that team members can work together without physically being in the one place at the same time.
• Family planners. You can also use collaboration tools in the family by the use of synchronised So, reminders, events, and goals can be placed on your calendar and instantly seen by other family members.

This goal with using new technology to achieve work-life balance and still be successful is closely connected with the last point.

5. Know When to Disconnect

You can never achieve success in both your personal life and work life if you spend all your time at home working on work-related projects and tasks. There has to be a time when you go out with friends and family to enjoy a dinner and turn your phone off.

Take some time for yourself and go for a relaxing walk and think about things other than work.

Learning work-life balance is about know which sacrifices to make to boost your success in your family life, personal life, and work life.

Picture credit: Andrik Langfield