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Do you have a positive way of how you balance your work between your personal work and creative moments?
What steps do you take to keep the balance?
Did you ever become overwhelmed with balance those two out?
What did you do to calm yourself down?
3 answers
Updated
Sophie’s Answer
Hi Oriana, I love this question because I think no matter what field you are in, this should always a priority for all! My company, BetterUp, specifically coaches individuals in how to master this skill as well. A few tips on how I balance my work and life:
- Create boundaries.
- Ask if you are needed in meetings. If you are added to a meeting but your plate is pretty full that day, ask if you are able to sit this meeting out and collect notes or discuss with a coworker after... the answer may be no, but you are raising awareness and building boundaries.
- If you are asked to join a project, ensure you have the bandwidth to do so, if not suggest they go to another colleague OR reprioritize the projects that are on your plate.
- Meet with your manager/supervisor to discuss how much work you are doing and are given throughout the day/week. Ensure you maintain open, honest, and respectful communication with your coworkers in order to be able to discuss these topics with them.
- Make time for you. Build in breaks into your work day to spend time socializing, resting and taking walks. Figure out what you need in your days to recharge or rest.
- TAKE A LUNCH BREAK! Rather than eating at your desk, remove yourself from your desk and eat away from your work area. Try tech free breaks as well to give you brain a rest!
- Make work fun. Take opportunities to collaborate with others. Set up coffee chats or water cooler talks with individuals where you don't discuss work, but chat about other things! Sports, entertainment, positive news, etc.
Try figuring out what your "Peak Performance Recipe" may be. Understanding what works for you during the day and what allows you to preform best will lead to less burnout, more enjoyment in and out of work, and boundaries for you and your job.
Check out this link to gain more information: https://resources.betterup.co/peak-performance?language=en This podcast was really enlightening to me!
- Create boundaries.
- Ask if you are needed in meetings. If you are added to a meeting but your plate is pretty full that day, ask if you are able to sit this meeting out and collect notes or discuss with a coworker after... the answer may be no, but you are raising awareness and building boundaries.
- If you are asked to join a project, ensure you have the bandwidth to do so, if not suggest they go to another colleague OR reprioritize the projects that are on your plate.
- Meet with your manager/supervisor to discuss how much work you are doing and are given throughout the day/week. Ensure you maintain open, honest, and respectful communication with your coworkers in order to be able to discuss these topics with them.
- Make time for you. Build in breaks into your work day to spend time socializing, resting and taking walks. Figure out what you need in your days to recharge or rest.
- TAKE A LUNCH BREAK! Rather than eating at your desk, remove yourself from your desk and eat away from your work area. Try tech free breaks as well to give you brain a rest!
- Make work fun. Take opportunities to collaborate with others. Set up coffee chats or water cooler talks with individuals where you don't discuss work, but chat about other things! Sports, entertainment, positive news, etc.
Sophie recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much I really loved the fact you've listed a podcast I love listen to podcast. My last question is how do you stay on top of your boundaries? I do set some boundaries when it comes to work but sometimes I have a hard time staying on top of them.
oriana
Updated
Jen’s Answer
Hey Oriana, this is a great question. I work from home, so sometimes it can be tough to balance work and personal life.
I take breaks throughout my day. I have specific times when I take my breaks, but setting an alarm for every hour or so can also be useful. Stepping away from your work/desk and taking a short walk to get your heart pumping and blood flowing helps your brain function. I also suggest taking a walk or a bike ride when you're off work for the day.
To avoid missing/forgetting any creative moments you may have throughout the day, I find it helpful to keep a journal, or even a word document on your computer of some ideas or thoughts that you come across while working. This allows you to take a second and jot down your summarized thoughts, without spending too much of your work day focusing on other ideas that come to your brain.
I am a big believer in breathing exercises, I suggest looking up a few different techniques and trying them out for yourself to see which ones work best. I am a big fan of the 4-4-8 technique. This will help keep you calm and hopefully prevents you from becoming overwhelmed.
I take breaks throughout my day. I have specific times when I take my breaks, but setting an alarm for every hour or so can also be useful. Stepping away from your work/desk and taking a short walk to get your heart pumping and blood flowing helps your brain function. I also suggest taking a walk or a bike ride when you're off work for the day.
To avoid missing/forgetting any creative moments you may have throughout the day, I find it helpful to keep a journal, or even a word document on your computer of some ideas or thoughts that you come across while working. This allows you to take a second and jot down your summarized thoughts, without spending too much of your work day focusing on other ideas that come to your brain.
I am a big believer in breathing exercises, I suggest looking up a few different techniques and trying them out for yourself to see which ones work best. I am a big fan of the 4-4-8 technique. This will help keep you calm and hopefully prevents you from becoming overwhelmed.
Thank you so much for sharing I am grateful you took the time out of your day to respond to my question. I do have one more question, Are you doing what makes you happy in your career if so did you have to seek it out or did it just come to you?
oriana
Updated
Gisele’s Answer
Oh this is such a good question to do yourself for the rest of your life. I guess most was answered here, but I´ll add my part also.
Would start with what is balance to you. Sometimes balance is not exactly the same time dedicating to different things, and it depends on moments of life, can be different. Try to dedicate some time to study new things (oh we never stop studying), or simply deep dive in something that called your attention. Have some time to do some fitness too. For me, as many plates I have, as many source of creativity.
Working from home 100% of time, requires me to plan my day. So I suggest do pauses along the day and if it´s possible, add some visual things in your desk like books, illustrations, whatever you find nice. So, when you do a pause, you can read a paragraph of something you like. Since it´s a pause, it should has nothing to do with work, or any academic study. It´s like playing with different things. Play is key to creativity.
Also take notes of things you like and sometimes read them again and again. Try to make new meanings for them, or amplify. Probably, things you dislike would also work. Pay attention to what happen to you, your life should be a great source of creativity. In my case, creativity boost my work, so I really try to not kill my creativity moments with more work.
Would start with what is balance to you. Sometimes balance is not exactly the same time dedicating to different things, and it depends on moments of life, can be different. Try to dedicate some time to study new things (oh we never stop studying), or simply deep dive in something that called your attention. Have some time to do some fitness too. For me, as many plates I have, as many source of creativity.
Working from home 100% of time, requires me to plan my day. So I suggest do pauses along the day and if it´s possible, add some visual things in your desk like books, illustrations, whatever you find nice. So, when you do a pause, you can read a paragraph of something you like. Since it´s a pause, it should has nothing to do with work, or any academic study. It´s like playing with different things. Play is key to creativity.
Also take notes of things you like and sometimes read them again and again. Try to make new meanings for them, or amplify. Probably, things you dislike would also work. Pay attention to what happen to you, your life should be a great source of creativity. In my case, creativity boost my work, so I really try to not kill my creativity moments with more work.
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