5 Ways to Achieve a Work-Life Balance

by Laura Smyth, Managing Director and co-founder of Top Tier Recruitment

Living in our Digital world, we have all become far too available but it is imperative, for the sake of our health, we achieve a happy medium. We have all come across that “dedicated” employee who never seems to leave the office but are they there all night for the sake of perception? Being available 24/7 is not only unhealthy but productively will certainly decrease.
 
Creating boundaries between your business and personal life should be on your list of New Year’s resolutions. Remember no matter how good you are at your job, you are only a number and replaceable whereas you are hugely valuable to your family and friends and more than just a number. Moving forward, adjust your attitude and feel more in control by implementing the following:
 
1. “Work to Live” and not “Live to Work”
We must work to pay our mortgage, bills, holidays, put our children through school, and so on. Recognising the role our jobs play in our lives and adopting our mind-set accordingly will allow us enjoy the fruits of our labour
 
2. Take Breaks
A break can be defined as 2 weeks in the sun or a 10-minute walk around the block. Whatever the case may be, it is vital you switch off completely and take breaks from work.
 
3. Be truly present
When you are at work or at home, be completely switched on. When you are at home spending time with your loved ones, leave your work phone at work or switch it off as it serves as nothing more than a distraction which inevitably leads to low quality time with your family.
 
4. Have “Me-time”
Do your kick-boxing or yoga class or just have a bath. Whatever you do, set time aside for yourself every week even if it is only an hour. Some people do a 10-minute meditation first thing in the morning which they claim kick-starts their day well.
 
5. Implement a strong daily routine
Eat well, exercise daily, sleep 7-8 hours per night and so on – these are great habits to a healthier and happier you.

If you are struggling to find a healthy work-life balance in work, I would love to talk with you about your next steps in either finding that balance or a new career.

About the author
Laura joined Bank of Ireland and over a period of eight years, held a number of roles across the group. Progressing quickly having returned to the Bank after a career break in which she got her first taste of recruitment, Laura was given responsibility for the start-up and management of the Bank’s new digitally focused branch in Grand Canal Dock.

Laura left the group to complete a Masters in Digital Marketing in DCU and is a co-founder of Top Tier Recruitment with responsibility for recruitment across Technology as well as other functions. Top Tier Recruitment is a specialist consultancy recruiting for Finance and Technology candidates within the Financial Services and Fintech industries. Contact [email protected] for more information.