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How this simple trick helped me achieve work-life balance.

A satisfying life should have two components: Boundaries and balance.

The first step in achieving either one is setting them; without those structures to work within, we become directionless workaholics who cannot possibly fulfill our goals or find fulfillment in what matters most—ourselves.

Life is hectic. Especially if you are trying to build something, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring sense to it and achieve a healthy existence.

Living a life in balance starts with setting boundaries. And no matter how experienced you are, it takes time to learn self-care and boundaries for yourself.

You work hard, and you deserve to feel good about that. But, the problem with overworking yourself is its toll on your body, mind, and emotions.

And the idea behind working day and night seems great at first glance; working harder can lead you to achieve your goals faster, resulting in feeling accomplished or essential.

But there are downsides beyond physical health where even psychological functions like happiness become compromised due to overworking yourself.

(Been there, done that.😅)

So, if lately, all of your energy has been going towards keeping up on things that need attention at work, your side project, AND at home while also trying not to get burnt out--it might be time to start setting boundaries with yourself.

So, how can you set boundaries with yourself?

Easy. Start by saying ‘no’ to yourself.

Plan your day a night after in a way that works for you, explain precisely at what time you will close your work laptop and exactly what you will do after, and follow it through the next day.

Whenever you feel like disrespecting the time boundary you set, ask yourself: "How does this serve me?" – It's worth considering whether your repeated behavior serves any purpose.

First, we make our habits; then, our habits make us.
 Charles C. Noble

If you can’t come up with a clear answer that genuinely resonates with you on how repeatedly performing that action will benefit you in the long term more than it will affect you, say no to yourself.

The boundaries and compromises you make with yourself will set the foundations for how your day-to-day routine will look, and your routine will consciously or unconsciously determine your habits and, therefore, the life you’ll lead.

Practice saying no to yourself more often.

No, you don’t need to stay late again.

No, you don't need to clear your backlog every night.

No, you don’t need to feel exhausted to feel accomplished.

When you say no to things that don't serve you, you say yes to what does.

So, next time you want to disrespect your boundaries;

Ask yourself, how is this serving me?

 

👉Does this resonate with you? Share your work-life balance tips with me! I'm always eager to learn about this topic. :) 

11 comments

Johanna Pichotka_APTIS_
Marketplace Partner
Marketplace Partners provide apps and integrations available on the Atlassian Marketplace that extend the power of Atlassian products.
September 21, 2022

The two tips I always share are pretty standard but a lot of people seem to resonate with them as well. 

1. Delete all your work apps from your phone 

I used to check my emails and Slack daily after work which sometimes already stressed me because of the things I had to do tomorrow. And I spent at least 30mins a day scrolling through LinkedIn which didn't really help take my mind of things. 

2. When working from home, have your desk in a separate room than your bedroom. 

That really helps with boundaries because you don't have any of your work stuff lying around and check your mails again. 

Like # people like this
Summer Hogan
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
September 22, 2022

Great article and tips @Jenn Velázquez! I try to practice self-care whenever I can and I think a good tip is to say NO to yourself! That one I will definitely use! At my company, we have a wellness app called Virgin Pulse and it has so many tips about self-care that I follow. We also have a great wellness team that provided tips and whole months dedicated to different parts of health, including self-care. 

@Johanna Pichotka_APTIS_ - I can't agree with you enough! I refuse to take work phone (or as I call it a "leash") nor will I put work apps on my phone. I also have my office in a separate room, although it is a guest room that has a bed in it. 

Like # people like this
Andy Gladstone
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
September 22, 2022

@Jenn Velázquez thank you for publishing an article that is so subtle yet necessary. I don't have any tips to share - my balance and boundaries need a lot of work But I'll get started on that tonight by telling myself 'NO' about something I know I will usually give in to. I'll start tonight and see if I can continue the pattern - and then report back on how it (hopefully) improves my balance.

Like # people like this
Christine P. Dela Rosa
Atlassian Team
Atlassian Team members are employees working across the company in a wide variety of roles.
September 22, 2022

@Jenn Velázquez thank you for reinforcing something that should be important to us all.

For me, saying “no” to one things gets easier by also saying “yes” to something else. So by turning down a request to help one with a new project, I’m actually saying yes to work more deeply in one of my existing projects. It’s a framing tactic :)

Like # people like this
Nikki Zavadska [Appfire]
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
September 24, 2022

Thank you for sharing this @Jenn Velázquez 💚 You've been a big inspiration for me in the past months.

Alex Koxaras _Relational_
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
October 11, 2022

@Jenn Velázquez thank you for sharing this! It's going to be a bit difficult saying no logging in to the community late at night! 🤔

Like Jenn Velázquez likes this
Steven Mustari
Rising Star
Rising Star
Rising Stars are recognized for providing high-quality answers to other users. Rising Stars receive a certificate of achievement and are on the path to becoming Community Leaders.
October 26, 2022

Self-care and management of yourself in WFH environment is fundamental to having a good balance. For me I feel like it's constantly evolving as I never know what types of engagements and clients I'll be working with and how they run their business. Finding that niche, yet being established in your approach defining who YOU are, not necessarily who the entity you represent is seems to be one of the most important factors in maintaining somewhat of semblance of balance.

I have a long way to go... but in the years of being at home - this seems to keep looping around as being one of the most important ones for me personally.  

Karim ABO HASHISH
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
October 28, 2022

Thanks you for Sharing, it is always important to remind ourselves and make sure we have the equilibrium

Like Ronald Hipol likes this
Ronald Hipol December 20, 2022

I have always been a proponent of work-life balance when I was a people manager. We need to remind not just ourselves but others too of the importance of balance.

Charly _DEISER_
Rising Star
Rising Star
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March 14, 2023

Thanks for sharing. This is really important and sometimes it's really easy to forget about the balance we need to have about this.

Dan Breyen
Rising Star
Rising Star
Rising Stars are recognized for providing high-quality answers to other users. Rising Stars receive a certificate of achievement and are on the path to becoming Community Leaders.
March 30, 2023

Very important reminder.  People are more productive at home and at work when there is a good work-life balance.

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