Take Control of the Juggling Act: Work versus Home

Kristin Southwick

Many of my clients tell me that keeping perspective day to day is challenging when you’re managing many different roles. Being a wife, a mother, a friend, as well as managing a career, and finding the time to also honor and take care of your own needs is a massive juggling act for every woman.

by Kristin Southwick
CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

How do you balance these competing roles and keep your head above water without feeling depleted at the end of the day?

This article is part 1 of a 4 part series that will help you learn ways to create structure and balance in your life. Today we’ll focus on the workplace. Future articles will discuss finding time to nurture and care for yourself, ways to balance relationships, and family life.

Career Demands versus Home Demands

A common issue that I often hear is the high-stress conflict of dealing with career demands and expectations while balancing that with home demands and expectations.  One of the best ways to help yourself navigate these two key issues is to set boundaries. Start by developing clear boundaries around your work life. Whether in a corporate setting, your own home, or anywhere in between you should be realistic and clear with yourself about what you can feasibly accomplish.

5 Tips to Help You Balance Your Work Life

1. Listen to your body. Your body will give you some great clues into how you are affected by external factors. For example does your stomach turn or do you clench your teeth when you think about the conflict of going home at a reasonable hour versus staying to finish a high priority assignment? Let your body guide you to set limits where you can.  If that means leaving at a certain time of day, then prioritize your tasks and focus on what needs to be completed before the end of the day.

2. Create boundaries that will help you manage others who are pressuring you into taking on more than you feel comfortable doing.

For example, if something is asked of you that goes beyond your job role and duties, a clear limit will help you be prepared with an appropriate response. Tell the person you will get back to them with an answer.  This allows you to walk away from the situation, take a moment to consider what is being asked, and how long it will take to complete the task.  It also provides an opportunity to consider if the time investment is one that will have a positive career impact.

3. Offering to do more than expected at your job can cause you to end up feeling overwhelmed and resentful. But it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and “accidentally” put yourself into that situation.  Work at implementing helpful strategies that support you on these kinds of occasions.  Try counting to 10 before you jump in or perhaps you need to take 5 minutes to step away, catch your breathe and then decide the next steps.

4. Ask for others to help if too much responsibility is being put on you and be open with what you need to successfully complete your job.

5. Lastly, it is essential to remember that when you have multiple assignments being given to you in a day or even an hour, it’s important to create a structure that will help you manage your workflow. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or that you just need a break then allow yourself to take 5 minutes to just breathe and catch-up.  The key is to not procrastinate and to help yourself stay focused and organized.

Renewed Energy

You’ll find an abundance of renewed energy when you take more control of your work life.   I would like to encourage you to start by considering these suggestions.  Just choose one idea that resonates with you and add it into your day to day responsibilities. You’ll be amazed at how much that one little action will help you to feel more in control of your life and feeling renewed energy for yourself, your family, and your relationships!

If you enjoyed this article, you can find Part 2 of this series on Work Life Balance…Making Time for You here!

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Tags: Career, family, Home, Know Yourself, Parenting, relationships, work/life balance

Category: Work/Life Balance