You feel like your current job is disrupting your work/life balance. But, is this true? And if so, what should you do about it? Rebalance the scales using this advice.
Signs Your Current Job Is Disrupting Your Work/Life Balance
- You spend more than 55 hours per week working
- You often need to complete assignments off the clock
- You seem to be thinking about your job constantly
- You check your work email and/or phone messages 24/7
- You feel frustrated and unhappy about your long hours
- You want your work to be perfect
- You friends and family complain, “All you do is work!”
- You don’t have time to exercise, socialize or relax
- You can’t get enough sleep
- You are having stress-related health issues like insomnia, headaches and anxiety
If you recognize yourself in many of the statements above, your work/life balance probably is misaligned. That means it’s time to address the issues.
How to Put Your Work and Life Back in Balance
Identify the Problem(s)
In many cases, poor work/life balance is caused by the job itself. Your employer may have unreasonable expectations about what you can accomplish in a 40-hour week. However, other times the problem might be you. Before you blame your boss or your company, ask yourself some tough questions. “Could I be more productive?” “Am I putting an unrealistic amount of pressure on myself?” or “Am I over-volunteering for projects?” If you answered “Yes” to one or more of these questions, you might want to reconsider your own work/life balance strategies.
Brainstorm Possible Solutions
You have an idea of what the problem is, so now focus on how to fix it. For example, if you believe you have more work than you can reasonably do, consider setting up a meeting with your supervisor. You could review the job requirements and the time it takes you to complete them, and then ask how you might readjust your schedule. After all, it’s in the company’s best interest to avoid employee burnout. On the other hand, if this seems unlikely to work, you may decide looking for a new job is the best option.
Experiment and Reevaluate as Needed
By their nature, balancing acts are a process. Therefore, don’t expect a simple, one-time solution. Even if you land a fantastic new job, you may find those long hours creeping up on you again. To keep your work/life balance steady, ask yourself every few months, “How am I doing?” If you feel like those scales are tipping in favor of work again, repeat the steps above. With practice, you’ll probably discover making ongoing adjustments will allow you to be a happier employee as well as a happier person.
Are You Looking for a Job That Doesn’t Disrupt Your Work/Life Balance?
Connectology places talented manufacturing professionals with top companies in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and beyond. If you are tired of working long hours or struggling to meet unrealistic expectations, our recruiters would be happy to find you a better fit. Check out our available openings and discover your next opportunity today!