Our personal environment and daily habits significantly influence our ability to perform effectively in a professional setting. To be organised in our work, we must first organise ourselves within our personal lives. It is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to incorporate an organised work routine into a chaotic lifestyle.
Equally, if we don’t take care of ourselves first, then we won’t be able to effectively help others. If we can’t make sure that we are leading a healthy and balanced life, we aren’t going to be able to sustain the rhythm we need to best serve the clients and support other people that we work with.
Having a ‘work/life balance’ is not just about not letting work take over your life; it is also about not letting life invade and disrupt your work. Routine is a vital part of both work and life. So, it’s important to start by assessing your personal life and making sure that it is well organised. Then you can apply the same principles to your work life.
Admittedly, it can be difficult at times to keep work and the rest of your life separate. Especially working in emotionally demanding fields, such as social work, it can be particularly hard to ‘switch off’ at 5 o’clock, but it is very important to do so. This requires discipline and practice.
If you are struggling to find a work/life balance, consider the following tips:
- Self-reflect: Practise self-reflection often so that you can recognise whether you are in balance or not before it is too late.
- Set attainable goals every day: Write down a list of priorities and check each task off throughout the day. This can help you feel a sense of control and accomplishment when things get hectic. Remember to be realistic with goals and deadlines.
- Take a break: It might not seem like you have fifteen minutes to spare some days, but there is always time to take a break. Walking away from work can help clear your mind and improve your ability to handle tasks and make better decisions when you return to work.
- Make time for yourself: You take your job very seriously, but that doesn’t mean it should define you. Making time for yourself improves mental health and overall satisfaction with life. Whether you enjoy taking a stroll in the park, exercising with friends or treating yourself to a spa day, it’s critical to prioritise ‘me time’.
- Ask for flexibility: If your workload has become unbearable, don’t be afraid to ask your employer for flexibility. Time off can give you the mental clarity you need to properly assist and care for your clients in the future.
- Reach out for support: In many cases, such as for social workers, the demanding nature of the job might require you to expand your social support network. Meeting a colleague over coffee or tea to let off steam, reconnect or prepare yourself for a particularly busy period can provide some stress relief, as can catching up with friends and family.
Finding a healthy work/life balance can be challenging, but implementing some key strategies can help. By making small adjustments in your daily routine, you can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life both professionally and personally.
Peter Nduwayesu Buturo is originally from Kampala, Uganda. He lives in Birmingham, England. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Birmingham City University, he embarked upon a career as a social worker and foster carer.
In 2020, Peter started his own business and founded Bold Leap, where he provides care and support to children in care within a residential home setting and supported accommodation. He is also the author of “Social Work and Beyond”.