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Hi Taylor:
This last year has been hard in a lot of ways, but I really enjoyed
the change of pace regarding work and family time. Now that I'm going
back to work, any tips on managing that work/life balance? - Mina
Hi Mina: As we slowly emerge from the craziest year of most
of our lives, I think this is going to be one of the biggest questions.
How do we get back to practicing self-care after a year in which so
many people were strictly in survival mode? Work-life balance was
important before the pandemic, and it will be even more important
as we readjust to normal life. As you strive to find that happiness
equilibrium, here are things to consider. |
1. Be honest
about your needs. Two ways to ensure your work-life balance
stays out of whack: lying to yourself about personal needs, and
not being upfront with an employer about the same thing. The first
step is to take a breath and think about how many hours of the
day are actually going to the things you care about. If you spend
eight hours in the office, one hour at lunch, an hour and a half
commuting, and eight hours sleeping, that leaves about five hours
a day for the rest of your life to happen. Quite frankly, that's
a generous schedule for a lot of the workaholics out there. Alternatively,
if everyone's been isolating at home and you don't ever get a
moment away from your family to focus on work, that's just as
difficult. This is why you need to make sure your boss is aware
of what you're going through. If you need more time at home, or
just an adjusted schedule, it makes a world of difference if you're
able to be up front about it.
2. Allow yourself to disconnect. I've talked to so many people
who worry about getting in trouble or getting fired or falling
behind. When I ask them why they have those fears, they realize
there's no basis for any of them. You don't have to check emails
all night. You can go off the grid over the weekend. Unless you
take a position that requires you to be on call 24/7, you shouldn't
have any concerns about turning off your phone or putting a project
on hold until you go back to work the next morning. Don't ignore
the rest of your life, especially in these trying times, just
because work feels overbearing.
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| The pandemic
turned everything upside down. Hopefully, you'll be able to find the
right work-life balance as things go back to normal. In the meantime,
pat yourself on the back for making it through the last year! |
| Legal Disclaimer:
Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not
an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific
securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve
risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to
first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional
before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question
to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com,
or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.
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