Pause – A Work Life Balance Blog by Lauren
What does a healthy work-life balance look like?
The reality is, it’s likely to mean different things to us all. Not only this, but people’s work-life balance may change, depending on a range of circumstances, including health issues, upcoming work deadlines, and many others.
Sometimes, people can get stuck in the same work-life balance, that isn’t necessarily healthy or fitting to their needs. The Mental Health Foundation recommend taking time to pause every now and then, to reflect on what your personal priorities are and whether the way you’re living and working is right for you. My personal priorities revolve around my family, friends, and my mental health.
It is also important to remember that your workplace should also play a part in helping you maintain a balance. On the Indeed website, they explain that increased job satisfaction and flexibility are just two benefits that are offered by careers that promote sufficient work-life balance; both of which are relevant to my job role.
Careers within the voluntary sector are known to have substantially high job satisfaction rates in comparison to other sectors, which I agree with based on my experience of feeling valued and fulfilled in my job. More specifically, COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD, my manager and colleagues are incredibly supportive of how I choose to balance my work and personal life. For example, focusing on the flexibility that Indeed discuss, they allow me to work from home the majority of the week and offer flexible working hours, in order to support my caring role at home alongside my employment with them.
Also, they have built a culture of openness, whereby I feel comfortable to speak up if I believe my priorities aren’t being met, such as having too heavy a workload which is negatively impacting my mental health. If I were to offer advice on how to achieve and maintain a healthy work-life balance, it would be to fit a period of reflection into your routine.
Add a recurring date in your diary and spend 10 minutes deciding what your current priorities are and reevaluate whether the way you’re living and working is right for you. This will ensure that you are not falling into the trap of only reconsidering your work-life balance when something significant happens, such as giving birth. Having this frequent time to pause will not only help you consider any positive changes that could be made, but also allows you time to plan how these changes can be put in place.
“You don’t have to make yourself miserable to be successful...success isn’t about working hard; it’s about working smart.” - Andrew Wilkinson
Lauren Lupton, Community Chesterfield Project Officer.
If you would like to find out more about some of the subjects mentioned in this ‘Work Life Balance Blog Series’ such as: Working Styles & Preferences: understanding yours and flexing to help others, Building and Developing an Exceptional Team, Managing Difficult Conversations or Facilitation Skills – Have a look at our new Training and Tea sessions.
Lasting for 45 minutes these courses are short, convenient and held online via Zoom. Booking is via Eventbrite and all the sessions can be found here bit.ly/CommunityChesterfieldEventbrite Places are limited.
FREE for Community, Voluntary or Third Sector organisations and groups in Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire* AND staff / students of the University of Derby – funded for you by Community Chesterfield.
*£20 for everyone else. (T’c & C’s apply)
