Our industry caters to the needs of the public, who increasingly expect access to their advisors – that would be you – to be available around the clock.
Add that to our entrepreneurial culture which underscores a robust work ethic, and it’s understandable why so many of us find it such a challenge to disconnect from work at the conventional 5 p.m. cut-off.
Consequently, we may feel compelled to maintain a relentless work schedule, which can lead to burnout, fatigue, stress-related health issues, and emotional strain. Not good!
Finding a way to maintain a balance between professional and personal life is essential for maintaining overall wellbeing and satisfaction. But how?
- Prioritize communication. Communicate with your clients your general work hours – add them to your email signature; and set expectations for turn-around time: it often does not need to be immediate.
- Identify your peak productivity hours. You best hours may not be traditional hours and you want to allow for personal/family time. Consider splitting your day: family first, emails and admin in the morning; mid-day for you; client calls in the afternoon; and family again in the evening ending with follow-ups and preparing for the next day.
- If possible, separate your work space from your living space. Being able to physically step away will provide both a separation from work you and personal you.
- Practicing self-discipline in time management is essential. Our instinct is to answer a call/email immediately, to eat at our desks, to skip that workout or walk. It will be difficult at first. Remember it’s OK to make incremental adjustments – just be sure to stick to them. There are some great tips here.
Ultimately, by implementing one or some of these strategies, you’ll be able to work in a more sustainable way while also taking care of yourself and your clients. Now that’s a balance!
