We all want to achieve work-life balance and career success. Ambitious professionals struggle to achieve goals without giving up too much of themselves. Although it might seem worthwhile to temporarily strain your physical, emotional and mental well-being to accomplish career objectives, you have limited control over the results of your efforts. Outside influences such as co-workers, supervisors, organizational changes, economic and financial concerns play a significant role in your professional life. Taking care of yourself, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, will help you be better prepared to tackle a wider variety of ever-changing challenges in your job and personal life with grace and aplomb.
To practice work-life balance, you must first recognize and address your personal needs. Do you wake up in the morning feeling rested, refreshed and ready for the day ahead? If not, take some time to decide what changes may be necessary to help you meet each day with energy and a smile.
Beyond attending to your basic personal needs, you may need to inventory and asses your goals and activities. Sometimes it will be necessary to temporarily set aside one or two of your professional activities to take better care of yourself.
Co-workers, jobs, professional goals and your definition of success will change throughout your life. Let your personal health and well-being be your priority and trust that professional success will naturally occur as you adeptly manage professional change and do your best work each day.