#38: The biggest mistake killing work-life balance

In these fast-changing times, doing what is being asked of you becomes harder and harder.

“Don’t forget to draw this report.”

“Be sure to brief this person about that decision.”

“Remember to get me the presentation for the board by tonight.”

“Check those KPI’s for me, will you?”

Aaargghg. Sometimes, there are just too many boring tasks to do, but you still want to make a good career and climb the ladder. At some point, you might find yourself stressed and frustrated, because you spend less time with your family. This is where many leaders make the mistake thinking they have to choose between their career or their private life. But it isn’t about choosing one or the other! In fact, you will become a more successful person and definitely a more happy one if you don’t make this choice.

You will, however still have to make other choices. Because if you simply do everything that is asked from you, you won’t have this great work-life balance. But doing everything that is requested is probably what you learned in school, that is why it can be so hard to let go of some tasks and rest. So how can you reach this work-life balance?

1- What is your ideal life?

Firstly, I’d like you to write down or visualize what your ideal life looks like. What are you doing for work? How much time are you spending with your family? If you know what you want from your life, you can start taking steps to reach that point. In the previous episode, episode 36, I help you to think about this. If you haven’t checked it out, I recommend doing it by clicking the link below!

2- What gives and costs you energy?

Next, make a list of all the things that give you energy and all the things that cost you energy. Do this for work and at home. This will give you a perspective on what really makes you feel fulfilled and what doesn’t.

3- Start saying no!

The next step is the hardest one, but also the most essential one. Start saying no to the things that cost you energy. The choice you will have to make every day, is not between your career or your personal life, but between saying yes to the things that give you energy and saying no to the things that do not. Very successful and respected leaders say no to many things, and often have a good balance between work and their personal life.

Saying no can be hard and will definitely make you feel uncomfortable at first, but by practicing saying no and accepting these uncomfortable sensations, you will get better results and a better work-life balance.