Most of you are so immersed in work that you often overlook your own needs. You push yourself by telling yourself that you have to keep going to stay ahead in the race. But please be a little kind to yourself and remember to tell yourself that a complex and stressful lifestyle does not keep you ahead; it blunts your sharpness and limits the skills.
To be able to deal with clients and their demands, you need to be in control of your emotions. You need to stay calm at all times. To achieve this you need to set aside some time for yourself.
Here are some steps that can help you strike a balance between your personal life and work.
Prioritise tasks: Make a to-do list; rank each task based on its importance and set deadlines to finish them. You can make a plan of action first thing in the morning. This will help you give a fair idea of your working schedule and complete pending tasks on time.
Fixed working hours: Most advisors do not follow fixed working hours. They tend to work for longer hours neglecting their personal time. Maintaining strict working hours can help you keep your personal and professional lives separate. Plan your day in a way where you can finish your tasks within the decided time-frame and take off from work as scheduled.
Learn to say no: You do not have to go beyond your capacity and say yes to every meeting and demand of your clients. You should say ‘no’ to tasks and assignments you are not comfortable doing. You might seem rude initially but you can always try explaining your situation to your clients politely as to why it is not possible for you.
Work hard, play hard: Do something as simple as joining a gym, pick up a sport or a hobby where you can unwind after work. This will give you a much-needed break from work related stress, energise you and help you to bond with new people.
Leave the work behind in office: Work is meant to be done within the office premises; you should not carry your work to home unless it is very important. Spend quality time with your family when you are at home.
Be tech savvy: Instead of travelling to meet all your clients physically, it will save you time if you make optimum use of technology. Make Skype calls, send personalised e-mails and keep clients updated through newsletters and WhatsApp.
Take a break: Taking small breaks during office hours can help you rejuvenate and keep your mind active for a longer period. It can be a short walk after lunch, or maybe even a walk to the water dispenser to fetch a glass of water or making a cup of tea. These small chores will help you recharge.
Schedule holidays: You should periodically reward yourself with a vacation. Remember to completely disconnect yourself from work and have some memorable times with your family. Just be yourself, do everything you wanted to do and let your hard-working brain just focus on enjoying the company of your wife and children.
