How to Achieve a Genuine Work-Life Balance

For most professionals, juggling the demands of a career and personal life is an ongoing challenge – especially as companies slash their ranks and expect more from their survivors. And for those of us who want to give 110% to everything we do, achieving a work-life balance can feel like an unattainable goal, like no matter what we do something is going to suffer.

Fortunately, it is possible to manage your career and family while feeling satisfied with both – even in today’s competitive world. It’s all about being committed to the outcome and taking action steps to create a new way of working and living that feels right to you. Here’s how to get started:

1. Stop trying to do everything. To achieve a genuine work-life balance, you have to become comfortable with prioritizing. The truth is, you don’t have to respond to every email or voicemail as soon as it comes in. Just because someone else thinks something is a priority doesn’t mean you need to as well. Everything is not equally important, and you can choose to either delegate, postpone, or ignore certain tasks. My recommendation is to do fewer things, but do them really well.

2. Decide what your values are. Figure out what your values are and prioritize them. For example, let’s say you value being home for dinner with your family. In that case, set a rule that you leave the office by 6 every evening – no exceptions. This doesn’t make you inflexible or unresponsive, it just gives you more control over how you work. Not only will sticking to your values improve your work-life balance, but it will also allow you to be a role model to your colleagues.

3. Commit to creating balance. At the end of the day, creating a work-life balance requires commitment. Promise yourself that you’ll take at least one step every day that will move you closer to balance. Decide that you can be flexible. You can leave before every last email has been answered – and that’s okay. If a work-life balance is what you want, commit to respecting your priorities, and everything in your life will benefit – including your career, family, and personal mood.