This year brought so many unexpected turns of events, and to some, these surprisingly turned out for the better. Because of the pandemic, industries all over the world were forced to adapt to the situation and allow their people to work from home. Working from home has been favorable to a lot of people, but it has also been quite a challenge to some. A question that is often asked is, “how do we set boundaries between work-life and home-life?” It can often lead to burnout and exhaustion if there is no clear, definitive line drawn between professional duties, and your personal life, especially when working from home.
As a company that works in the executive search recruitment and talent acquisition industry, we know how hard it is to make that shift from office work to working at home. Working with people and providing them with talent management services are at the very core of what we do, but now that we’re all working from home, we’ve picked up a couple of tricks that help us get by. Here are some tips on how to make sure those boundaries aren’t crossed.
- Establish a fixed schedule and know when your working hours are. This is highly important for you to know how many hours in your day you should dedicate to focusing on work, and when not to.
- Communicate with your team, especially your supervisor or boss. Transparency is key! A simple, “I won’t be able to answer after 6p.m., expect my reply the next day. Unless it’s urgent,” will help you be able to stick to your work schedule and not go beyond that. This will also allow you to have time for yourself and your family after work.
- It’s ok to say “no.” You’d be surprised at the power of saying “no” to tasks that you really can’t do, or schedules you can’t commit to. It’s not about pleasing everyone—you have to focus on the things you prioritize and find important.
- Aspire to have a well-balanced life. Work shouldn’t be your entire world. Make sure you allot time to do things that you love to do! Sneak in a workout or something active you can do at home. Read a book, or go out for walks. Catch up on movies and shows that take your mind off things. Try new recipes for a healthy meal.
With these simple steps, we hope you find the proper balance between work and your life outside of work. Remember that boundaries are always important, and make sure to always have time for yourself.