Work-life balance

Sometimes, it's unavoidable. You have that looming project deadline, when your colleague needs your help with something, at the same time you get an email asking for something urgently, but you get distracted by your phone blowing up and your husband is wondering why you aren't on your way home yet, because you had plans tonight. You feel like you're getting pulled in ten different directions, and in all reality not one of those things is getting the full attention it deserves. So how do you go about making sure all these things get done, everyone is happy and you keep your sanity? I am certainly no expert, and oftentimes I fail miserably. But here are my top five tips for trying to get the best work-life balance you possibly can.

1. Breathe and plan.
I am a big believer in planning, and plan a significant portion of my life! When you have a thousand requests and tasks in front of you, it can be overwhelming. The first 30 minutes of every work day are spent reviewing the daily tasks in my diary, adding anything that was leftover from the day before that I didn't get finished, and prioritising. Whatever is most urgent gets done first, and the rest follows. Be realistic with colleagues as early as possible, letting them know when you will be able to deliver something. Under-promise and over-deliver. Better to say you won't get it done before Friday, and find yourself able to deliver Wednesday morning, than vice-versa. If the day starts to look pretty heavy, review every task and move anything you can to another day. Nothing feels more overwhelming than 25 tasks on your list and no plan.

2. Do and break.
When I start each task, I set my phone timer for 25 minutes. In this time, I don't let myself get distracted by emails or phone messages. The next 25 minutes are for the job at hand, and it is surprising how much can get done in those 25 minutes when you are strictly focused. When the 25 minutes are up, I allow myself five minutes to check emails, add those syns to my online Slimming World diary, nip to the loo, make a coffee - those five minutes are to get odd things done so I can start the next 25 minutes fully refreshed and ready to focus on the next part.

3. Buffer zone
In the main, this is possible for me. I understand that sometimes, other employers expect a 24-hr on call employee. But the reality is that you are not contracted for that. Your client can wait, and the world will continue to turn. Your health, sanity and family are more important than living to work, and making your bosses' wallets fatter, with no benefit to you and at the expense of time with your loved ones that you cannot get back. Admittedly, I have a long commute, which is a perfect buffer zone, but everyone has some kind of commute from leaving work to closing the door behind them as they get home. Be that two hours or ten minutes, use that time to really distance yourself from the day. Listing all your tasks in a diary or planner helps, as everything is written down and not having to be kept in your head. Read a book, a blog, listen to an audiobook, a podcast, a guided meditation, do breathing exercises, listen to your favourite album, watch an episode of something hilarious on Netflix, waste away some time on Youtube... unless you are driving, then please look at the road. But you can do the listening ones. The point is to escape. Changing the scenery in your mind can work wonders as a distraction, leaving you ready to greet your loved ones when you come home with your full attention.

4. Date night
Not exclusively for your other halves, scheduling 'date nights' with girlfriends, cousins, aunts, whoever it may be, is important. If you have a work meeting in your diary, you wouldn't not show up, and these meetings should be treated with the same reverence and respect. Scheduling this time in advance, like you would a meeting, means you are less likely to break it, or bump it off for a report that you've been working on. Planning something doesn't have to be expensive - a simple walk in the park or a coffee in the evening can take just an hour from your day, but it keeps you in touch with the people that matter and with what's going on in their lives. Not only will that be great for them, it will work wonders for your own mood and mental stress. Sharing is caring, people. And when it comes to making time for your special someone, this is a no-brainer. You've chosen to spend your life (or at least the current portion of your life) with this person, and that relationship needs attention, love and care.

5. Look after number one
You are no use to anyone if you are burned out and paying half attention to your relationship, your pet or your work. Creating a buffer zone between your day and your night is a great way of giving your brain the rest it needs. Then, when you get home, make a lovely meal, listen to some music, run a bath and light some candles, have a glass of wine, get lost in a boxset or a book, meet your friend for coffee, call someone you haven't spoken to in a while. Do what you love in this time. It will leave your head and heart ready for a great night's sleep. Get your eight hours, or as close as you can - I aim for at least four days of full eight hours sleep in the week. Eat right, move when you can, and enjoy catching ZZZs. They will mean you are ready to go to work the next day refreshed, fulfilled and happier, which will shine through your work and make you calmer, and more able to face the day ahead.