There is no doubt that we live in a fast-paced, hyperconnected world. Each year, the lines between work and personal life become blurrier. While thought leadership and opinion pieces about “balance” are often shared online, it’s difficult to land on any actionable approaches for finding true balance in a world that expects you to always stay online.
Whether you’re a seasoned in-office professional or just dipping your toes into the waters of remote work, that balance can still be found. Here’s how to navigate the challenges of being constantly connected and find a lifestyle that lets you unwind.
Open communication
First, it’s essential to come to terms with the truth that we may have imposed our own expectations of hyper-connectivity on ourselves. Yes, some employers have strict communication and 24/7 reachability guidelines, but for the average position that doesn’t handle life-or-death situations, the need to feel “always on” could be self-inflicted.
For example, employees shouldn’t fear retaliation because they didn’t respond to emails while they were on vacation unless expectation was set and agreed upon ahead of time. For employers and employees alike, it takes open communication to understand expectations and appropriately manage them.
Empowerment and trust
Employees with the autonomy to manage their own task lists will be happier employees who feel a better sense of balance. When leaders delegate tasks, they should do so without micromanaging how they are completed. Approaching task delegation in this way can reduce employees’ stress, allow better focus on tasks without interruption, and foster a culture of mutual respect and trust.
Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries is the bedrock of a balanced life. By establishing boundaries on how long we work, when we work, or how much time and attention we give to work, we can prevent burnout and enhance our productivity.
Leaders should also work to model good boundary-setting behavior. By encouraging employees to practice self-care and set healthy boundaries around work, leaders are helping to create a work environment that is healthy and apt to thrive.
Flexible work arrangements
Work-from-home and remote work options have become increasingly popular in recent years. With advanced technology, many employees feel they have no reason to return to the office. Offering flexible work options that accommodate a variety of family and personal needs can help employees better manage commitments outside of work and find the balance so many of them seek.
As we navigate a world that becomes more connected every day, finding a true work-life balance becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. By working with leaders with organizational leadership to prioritize balance, we can improve our mental health, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires open communication, mindfulness, and — sometimes — making tough choices. However, once processes and strategies are in place, the success of those approaches will be measured in employee satisfaction and overall retention.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tiffani Martinez
HR Director — Otter Public Relations
Tiffani Martinez is a native Floridian. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Keiser University with a BA in Business Management and a focus in Human Resource Management. Tiffani excels at putting the “human” back into “Human Resources.” She comes from a non-profit and Property and Casualty insurance background with focused knowledge of the needs of Florida residents. Her tenure in non-profit led her to manage one of the top 100 largest churches in the nation with more than 2,000 members. Her pssion is conflict management, where she strives to take in all perspectives and ensure that all parties are respected and heard with fairness and empathy.