The world of business is more competitive than ever. Although this can mean that a series of financial rewards are on offer, it could also mean that our personal health is being impacted as a result.
Working too hard can slowly eat into our free time, which means less time with family and friends, as well as losing out on vital sleep and relaxation.
We are getting closer and closer to burning out, which won’t benefit anyone. The following tips should help you in finding the blurred line between work and life, and help you achieve a healthy balance between the two.
Do not let E-mails consume you
This can be very difficult, but constantly monitoring your emails means that you are not getting the rest you need, which neither benefits you or your clients. You should make it clear as to what times you can be contacted. An out-of-office reply also allows you to politely inform your clients of a time you will be back in the office to respond to their e-mail.
Not everyone can follow this process, but you shouldn’t assume that you have to tackle e-mails alone, as even self-employed individuals can hire help should they require it. If you have e-mails that need to be constantly monitored or replied to, then why not consider 350VA services. Not only can this be a cost-effective solution, but it also ensures that you’re getting the respite you need.
Sometimes you have to say no
Many people like to appease their employer by trying to meet a series of challenging demands, but sometimes, it’s just not realistic. You shouldn’t be afraid of saying no. Consider the other option, you take on the work and find that you’re just not able to complete it. This will have a more detrimental impact on your character than saying no, so don’t feel you have to be superhuman, we all have our limits.
Work smart
Many would assume that the harder they work, the more they get done. This isn’t always the case, you should look to work smarter, rather than harder.
High-priority tasks should be given a realistic time limit for completion. Giving unrealistic turnaround times only means that your personal time is being affected as a result.
There is no harm in asking for help. You may have a colleague who can take some of the work from you to get it completed sooner.
Many employ the services of a virtual assistant to allow them to offload some of the more time-consuming everyday tasks such as answering e-mails.
Many assume that they cannot afford such a service, but consider this. If you’re able to keep on top of all your tasks with such a small investment, it can only furnish you with more rewards moving forward, especially when it comes to money.
Work is work, home is home
It can be difficult to split the two but it’s important that where possible, we know when to leave work alone.
Enlisting the services of a virtual assistant can mean that you’re able to rest up, without the constant worry of an overwhelming inbox when you return.
It also means that you’re able to maintain a healthy relationship with loved ones at home, which can also help reduce stress and anxiety.
Set your own guidelines
When it comes to dealing with cumbersome amounts of work, it’s easy to bury our head in the sand and hope for the best. However, a more pro-active way of addressing such issues is to be clear in the beginning as to what your availability is, and when they can expect to receive the finished work.
Some may not be happy that their work is not top priority, but they will be less amused when they don’t get the completed work by the expected deadlines. As such, clarity is key, and it stops that unwanted bout of stress that normally comes as standard with heavy workloads.
Perfection isn’t always key
We’re not just talking about the work arena here, but also tasks that occur around the home. Many of us have our own way of completing a task, and if we’re receiving help at home with the more generic day-to-day tasks, expecting the same level of professionalism can make the situation more stressful than it needs to be. As such, you should accept that while such jobs are not being handled to your exact specifications, it still means less pressure on you.
The work arena is no place for sloppy work, but it’s still important that you are able to ask for help as and when it’s required. This is where the services of a virtual assistant can come in handy, as it will allow you to deal with more complex tasks, while the day to day running of communication can be handled by a seasoned professional. Remember, we are only humans, and mistakes do arise. It’s how we deal with them moving forward that’s important.