Time management tips for ‘always-on’ workers

Your career can become an addiction if you blur the line between work and life too much. Sure, it’s convenient to work from any location, or browse emails in bed before having your morning coffee, but doing so can make it difficult to find balance. If left unchecked, this can harm your physical and mental health. The 24/7 work mentality can affect sleep patterns, interfere with relationships, cause excess stress and distract you from other priorities, like exercise, health and family.

Here are few things you can do to create work-life balance.

Do leave your phone off

Sometimes, you need time away from the chaos: the calls, texts, emails and social media alerts. Whether you’re spending a night out with your partner or grabbing brunch with an old friend, you don’t need to obsess over work at that very moment. If you turn off your smartphone, you won’t feel the constant need to check on business matters.

Do get enough rest

Sleep is essential to success. You want to be alert and mentally available on the job, so think of sleep as a beneficial work tactic. You also deserve the rest, and it will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the day.

Do allow for some downtime between work and your social life

While you may feel the need to be ‘always on’, you need some sort of recess from your hectic schedule to focus on yourself and other priorities. In order to provide your best work, taking a breather is crucial. If you work from home, make sure to create a little decompression space between when work ends and when you re-engage with your family.

Do meditate

Meditation relaxes the mind and body. After a stressful day of nonstop work, taking a moment to channel your thoughts and quiet the chaos can do wonders.

Don’t spend too much time on one issue

This only makes you frustrated and concerned. If you face a problem during your day, walk away and come back to it later. This gives your mind a break and allows you to face the issue with a more rational and clean perspective, often resulting in a quick resolution.

Don’t use a traditional to-do list

Make your to-do’s on your calendar, rather than in list form. Organizing your tasks in an efficient manner that makes sense to your schedule not only ensures you’ll complete them but also reduces anxiety, allowing you to plan time for breaks, he said.

Don’t create an unrealistic schedule

While scheduling is helpful, don’t overbook yourself. This will only cause more unneeded stress, which can affect other areas of your life, she said. Don’t book yourself every minute, because this might not give you enough time for unexpected things.

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