How do you balance between professional and personal life? How do you maintain success? Is success a short term or long term?
The first step in balancing your work and personal life is recognizing that it is not just going to happen—
you have to be proactive and work at it, and the time to do so is now.
Finding a balance between your work and your personal life does not just happen, according to
professionals in the field of physician well-being. You have to work at it, and the time to do so is now.
“Balance requires effort, planning, and tradeoffs,” says John Schorling, MD, MPH, internal medicine
professor and director of physician wellness programs at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Referring to a psychology of postponement attributed to physicians, Schorling comments, “We always
think life will be better in the next phase—when I'm out of residency, after my fellowship, as soon as my
practice is built up.” But, Schorling stresses, life will never change if you are waiting for the future. The
first step in finding work-life balance is recognizing that it is not just going to happen—you have to be
proactive.
Here are some ways to create a better work-life balance, as well as how to be a supportive manager.
1. Accept that there is no 'perfect' work-life balance.
When you hear "work-life balance," you probably imagine having an extremely productive day at work,
and leaving early to spend the other half of the day with friends and family. While this may seem ideal, it
is not always possible.
Don't strive for the perfect schedule; strive for a realistic one. Some days, you might focus more on
work, while other days you might have more time and energy to pursue your hobbies or spend time
with your loved ones. Balance is achieved over time, not each day.
2. Find a job that you love.
Although work is an expected societal norm, your career shouldn't be restraining. If you hate what you
do, you aren't going to be happy, plain and simple. You don't need to love every aspect of your job, but
it needs to be exciting enough that you don't dread getting out of bed every morning.
3. Prioritize your health.
Your overall physical, emotional and mental health should be your main concern. If you struggle with
anxiety or depression and think therapy would benefit you, fit those sessions into your schedule, even if
you have to leave work early or ditch your evening spin class. If you are battling a chronic illness, don't
be afraid to call in sick on rough days. Overworking yourself prevents you from getting better, possibly
causing you to take more days off in the future.
4. Don't be afraid to unplug.
Cutting ties with the outside world from time to time allows us to recover from weekly stress, and gives
us space for other thoughts and ideas to emerge. Unplugging can mean something simple like practicing
yoga instead of checking work emails.
5. Take a vacation.
Sometimes, truly unplugging means taking vacation time and shutting work completely off for a while.
Whether your vacation consists of a one-day staycation or a two-week trip to Goa, it's important to take
time off to physically and mentally recharge.
6. Make time for yourself and your loved ones.
While your job is important, it shouldn't be your entire life. You were an individual before taking this
position, and you should prioritize the activities or hobbies that make you happy
When planning time with your loved ones, create a calendar for romantic and family dates. It may seem
weird to plan one-on-one time with someone you live with, but it will ensure that you spend quality
time with them without work-life conflict. Just because work keeps you busy doesn't mean you should
neglect personal relationships.
7. Set boundaries and work hours.
Set boundaries for yourself and your colleagues, to avoid burnout. When you leave the office, avoid
thinking about upcoming projects or answering company emails. Consider having a separate computer
or phone for work, so you can shut it off when you clock out. If that isn't possible, use separate
browsers, emails or filters for your work and personal platforms.
8. Set goals and priorities (and stick to them).
Pay attention to when you are most productive at work and block that time off for your most important
work-related activities. Avoid checking your emails and phone every few minutes, as those are major
time-wasting tasks that derail your attention and productivity. Structuring your day can increase
productivity at work, which can result in more free time to relax outside of work.
Work-life balance will mean different things to different people because, after all, we all have different
life commitments. In our always-on world, balance is a very personal thing, and only you can decide the
lifestyle that suits you best.