This year, my main goal is to achieve a better work-life balance. While I’m not complaining about my current situation, I know there’s room for improvement.
As a full-time blogger, stepping away from work can be tough. It’s tempting to work around the clock since every moment can be used to grow your business. Plus, with the ability to work from anywhere—your phone, laptop, or even on vacation—it’s challenging to disconnect, especially if you love what you do. However, constantly being “on” isn’t healthy.
A good work-life balance means taking breaks to enjoy life and not being glued to a screen all the time. It’s vital to be present in the moment and have a life outside of work. Even if you enjoy your job, taking breaks is beneficial. A poor work-life balance can lead to irritability, stress, strained relationships, and health issues.
I’m not alone in this struggle. According to Monster.com, about 50% of workers feel overwhelmed, 88% have trouble managing work-life balance, one-third of Americans work 10 hours a day or more, and one in five spend an additional 10 hours a week working from home. Running a business and traveling sounds great, and it is, but it’s easy to let work take over your life.
Here’s how I plan to manage a better work-life balance:
**Work Ahead:** One of my main strategies has always been working ahead. I’m usually 2-3 months ahead in content, which makes traveling more enjoyable. Planning and working ahead keeps me sane and helps maintain a good balance. If I find myself in an area with no internet or if I just want to enjoy my surroundings, I can do so without stress. Working ahead means I’m not rushing to meet deadlines, which makes writing more enjoyable.
**Take Time Off:** Despite running my blog full-time for almost four years, I rarely take a full day off. I’m always answering emails, brainstorming ideas, handling social media, and writing. While I love blogging, taking a day off is beneficial. I’m starting by taking a full day off a few times a month. It might not sound like much, but it’s a start.
**Be Okay with Emails Building Up:** Taking time off means emails will pile up. I love answering emails from readers, but constantly checking my inbox isn’t good for balance. I’m going to start checking emails only three times a day, and eventually, just once a day. Most emails can wait 24 hours for a response.
**Be More Efficient with My Time:** I’m not the most efficient with my time. I often switch between work and social media, which wastes time. Social media can be a huge distraction. By spending less time on it, I can focus better. I’m going to close out social media while working and avoid my phone before bed and right after waking up.
**Have a Clear Schedule and To-Do List:** My schedule and to-do list keep me on track. Without them, I’d be lost. I create reminders for all sorts of tasks, which helps me stay organized and focused on what truly matters.
**Stop Multitasking:** Multitasking often results in wasted time because it takes time to refocus. Instead, I’ll focus on one task at a time, which will help me stay more efficient and simplify my life.
**Unplug More:** Traveling full-time makes it hard to unplug from work. Technology makes it easy to work anywhere, but it’s important to set boundaries. I’ll set a schedule that allows me to step away from work, even if it means turning off my phone or going for long hikes.
**Outsource More:** I run my blog mostly on my own, but I need to outsource more tasks. This will free up my time to focus on more important goals. Outsourcing can involve hiring someone to handle tasks that don’t necessarily need my direct involvement.
**Start Saying “No”:** I struggle with saying “yes” to everything, which leaves me with little time for my own tasks. Learning to say “no” will help me manage my time better and focus on what’s important.
What do you do to manage a better work-life balance? Do you have any apps or tips that help?