How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance: 10 Ways to Act Before It Is Too Late!

“He’s a workaholic! He doesn't spend enough time with us, his family! I want a divorce! She is working to pursue her career on the back of this family and our children!“

How many times did you hear this or something similar about family and friends? We all have, haven’t we? I’m not surprised that “Family Versus Work – The Ongoing Battle” has gone viral! This article will provide 10 tips on action to improve your work-life balance.

"The communal life of human beings had, therefore, a two-fold foundation: the compulsion to work, which was created by external necessity, and the power of love... "

When Sigmund Freud wrote this in 'Civilization and Its Discontents' back in 1930 he was referring to his belief that love and necessity are the two foundations of society. Freud shared his own deep desires, stating he desperately wanted to make his fiancée, Martha, his wife and telling of his burning ambition to work hard and succeed. It appears that even Freud had difficulties balancing work and family!

What are your priorities when choosing a new job?

An article by The Independent in 2015 concluded that work-life balance is only third on people’s list of priorities when choosing a job in the UK. Work enjoyment comes in fact as “the number one priority, with 41% regarding it as the most important factor in selecting a job. Salary (23%) is second on the list, while only 16% of respondents viewed work-life balance as the most important consideration when choosing a job”.

I talked to Francisco Lopez, an impressive LinkedIn connector and author of "How to broker or facilitate Deals and succeed", and asked him: "What would be your advice to balance work and life? How do you make sure your passion for what you do does not step on your family's life?”. His answers are, in my opinion a life-lesson and I am so proud to share them here:

"I prioritize. The things that take much of my time but do not offer enough justification, I postpone or allocate little time to (such as posting and fighting with trolls on here, oh and making fun of them)! Alternatively, discard the unjustified things (if you are fast enough, have the intellectual acumen and know your subject you can cover lots of ground in little time). I allocate time to the things that do not just interest me, but also my audience. In my consulting practice I only deal with those who are willing to pay for my time and know how. Sometimes I do pro bono work and my first hour is free (a good way to see if the deal is doable). I avoid time-wasters like the plague!

Confucius offered us this invaluable advice, although you will have to read it carefully to understand who knows what!: The one who knows and knows he knows, is wise, follow him. The one who knows and does not know he knows, is asleep, awaken him. The one who does not know, and knows he does not know, is a child, guide him. The one who does not know, and does not know he does not know, is a fool, avoid him.”

If you’re struggling to find a good work-life balance it may be time to make a few changes. It’s worth trying to make subtle changes to your current working patterns. Here are 10 ways to remedy your work patterns and address that work-life balance before it's too late. Hold your family close, because when you're gone, you're gone!

1. Leave early or on time

Try leaving work early (or at least bang on time) one day per week (if that’s too much promise yourself you will do it every other week). Take yourself out of work at lunch-time, get some fresh air and take a walk, it will lift your mood and probably make you feel more productive in the afternoon too.

2. Increase progressively. Go Crescendo!

Once you have succeeded in forcing yourself to leave work at least once a week, try Thursdays and Fridays. For most of my team, this does work. Once this has become a stable change, try to add Wednesday. Great changes mostly have modest beginnings. Not everything in life is big-bang! As the fabulous Sahar Hashemi says: Let go of the debilitating attachment to the outcome of your goals. Focus on the present and what you need to do now to improve your future and that of your family.

3. Ask about flexible working

You can ask your employer to consider a flexible working arrangement. In many countries, the law states that some / all employees have the statutory right to ask for this. In the UK for example, providing you are not an agency worker or in the armed forces and have worked for your company for over 26 weeks, then by law your employer must seriously consider your request. They can turn you down if they feel your changed working pattern would have a negative impact on the business, however it’s certainly worth asking and you’re quite within your rights to make a request.

4. Remote work and WFH

A remote.co article speaks of studies that have proved that remote work can and mostly does increase productivity as they seriously cut on the distractions. 86% of employees confirmed that. Work from home also increases efficiency, boosts morale and lowers stress. 24% of employees report achieving more in about the same time and 82% report less stress. 80% report higher morale and 69% report lower absenteeism. Employee turnover goes down by 50% when offered to work from home. WFH also means substantial savings of real estate costs and overhead. 87% of remote workers report feeling more engaged through video conferences with their colleagues.

In a conversation with the impressive Hattie Hill about jobs and salaries in the UK market today, Hattie confided to me that the salary of any role today "really does depend on the location. Within the London market £50,000 p/a would be a PM with 2/3/4 years experience but outside of London it could be someone with 7+ years". According to Hattie, "for a role that only requires travel to the office twice a month, candidates that would look in the brackets of £70-80,000 p/a would consider this position because of the lack of travel and the ability to balance work + life such as kids etc."

Companies often only hire someone after they have been looking for the right profile for a while. As such, they might need you to start as soon as possible. Seize this opportunity to formally ask for a day to WFH (work from home) in the contract.

According to Hattie Hill, "Remote work is definitely something we're all seeing an increased demand for in my recruitment office! Even roles where it is not advertised there are a lot of candidates that will ask that as one of their first questions about roles. It's something companies are having to consider more and more, especially within the digital/tech space where all companies are fighting to be the most desirable and have the best talent."

5. Invest in yourself, you are worth it.

It might cost a few grands to get that degree or upgrade your skills - but it could lead to a promotion, a fabulous new job or even a better salary. We don't hesitate to upgrade our mobile phone apps each day, don't neglect updating your skills. One good Excel or Project Management course can make a shift in your life. How much is that worth? Definitely 100's of times more than any investment you made in that course. Even a small raise in your salary / income can pay back for that course many folds over a relatively short period of time.

6. Personal Development. FREE!

Lyndsay J. Grady, Director Of Workforce Development at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and a fan of TED talks and Zig Ziglar, has created a nice list of what personal development can mean to you. Pick of the following 10:

1. Improving Time Management
2. Learning a new skill
3. Taking a course or earning a new certification/degree
4. Blogging or Journaling
5. Participating in training 
6. Taking up Pilates/Yoga/Exercise
7. Joining a committee or Board
8. Finding a mentor
9. Volunteering
10. Any combination of the above

One motivational book can literally change your life 180°. You can borrow it from your local public library for free! Every public library I have visited has many of those, sometimes hundreds. Treat yourself to one with a good cup of coffee.

Molly Fletcher recommends Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Mildred Talabi advises you to read Rich Habits by Thomas C. Corley, The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson, Give and Take by Adam Grant.

7. Take some time off, annual leave or unpaid

No time to look for a new job? Too busy to think? There is no shame in taking a few days off as annual leave or even unpaid leave. A small sacrifice of your time could change your career for the better. Working might make you happy, and if you’re lucky enough to have found a vocation that prompts a wide grin every time you head out the door to go to work, then good for you! The right career will provide intellectual stimulation and fulfilment. It should make you feel buoyant and enthused, rather than anxious or drained.If your job does not, then dare consider the following:

8. Eventually resign! Hell Yeah!

There are thousands of other employers who need you and who are looking for your skills. But like many, you need to have the pressure of not having an income to really get moving and find yourself a better job. Most people only find a job once they have left their current role. Leaving your job to go to another might actually greatly improve your CV and your “employability”. Dare to consider applying for open roles and if necessary, in an interview, ask them to confirm with you before they contact your employer or manager for references.

You might have to try out different working patterns to find the most suitable for you – you could look art working a set number of hours each day, or you could consider flexible hours. You could work remotely or ask if you can do some of your job working from home You can check how it’s working out by measuring your own productivity and efficiency.

9. If none of the above works for you, start your own business!

I know it sounds scary and too much responsibility. But if you find in yourself that flame of entrepreneurship, then why not? A lot of those who did escape the 9 to 5 rat race would tell you they are happy and proud of their choice, and if time goes back, they would do it all over again and again. James Caan CBE, the admirable influencer and the serial entrepreneur of the Dragons’ Den, says: “People can sometimes be afraid of making that leap into the world of entrepreneurship. They may have a good idea, along with business acumen, but are wary of the potential pitfalls. I have always said that belief is one of the most important qualities you can have. Yes, running a business is difficult and there are always risks, which you should do your best to minimise. But if you are truly passionate about the journey of entrepreneurship, and believe in yourself and what you can offer, you have to take a risk and put yourself out there”.

10. Finally, don’t just exist. LIVE! (Yes I’m shouting this out!)

Theresa May has gone on record stating that working is actually part of our human existence, therefore working conditions must be desirable. She has commissioned the Taylor Review, its aim is to investigate modern day work practices and will look at worker’s rights.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum goes by the moto “We are building a new reality for our people, a new future for our children, and a new model of development”. Allow me to extrapolate this to you and me: To build a new reality for your family, a better future for your children, you need to move from your old job to one where your skillset is better appreciated and rewarded. You owe that to yourself and to your family!

The LinkedIn influencer Oleg Vishnepolsky says "We easily take bets on stocks and horses. Let's take a chance on people, too!". Take a chance on yourself because in your race, you are definitely the most unique horse!

Workers such as freelancers often enjoy the flexibility that their work brings, but miss out on the security afforded by a “regular” job, such as a set minimum wage. Your job should bring financial stability, but it needs to bring you more than that, it can shape the life you lead. It’s essential to remember the contrast between living to work and working to live, ask yourself – which category do you fall into? And where do you want to be?

When you have a dated written action plan with clear milestones, those wishes become a plan that leads to achievement and success! Start your plan now.

• P.S. This article would have never seen the light without the valuable feedback of Marcus Killick OBE and the great help of the very knowledgeable Stéphane Malhomme. Welcome to my new contacts David Hill, Caitlin Frost, Catherine Ann Reid and Ahmad Salheen.