‘Why we all need a good work life balance’

Norfolk Life Coach
Apr 17, 2019
3 min read

‘Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.’ Quote by Dolly Parton

Our jobs and careers can often seem to dominate our waking hours. Is your diary full of work appointments with the odd day crossed out so you don’t forget to spend time with your friends and family? We need to learn to put as much energy into planning our ‘downtime’ as we do our work calendar… and with some thought and practise…we can! Don’t leave it until it is too late, like I nearly did.

Idea for today: Take a break and review your own work-life balance

A few years ago I was working full time and practically every weekend. I was in a new job and wanted to turn things around to fit with my ideals as quickly as possible. It is quite ‘normal’ whenever you begin somewhere new to feel you need to prove yourself and make some immediate changes so that your work colleagues notice you. I wanted my colleagues to feel happy about the changes I introduced but some of those changes did involve new practices and learning new ways of working. Not only was I trying to find what needed to improve and how I could lead those improvements but I also needed to get my colleagues on board with the changes I was asking them to make. It was exhausting, both mentally and physically. However, I am a determined and stubborn individual and I just kept on going at it!

I was eventually fairly successful in my first year, but by the time my annual leave came around I found I could not stop thinking about my job. I had not planned a holiday, I was not in a relationship and my children were at an age when they had either left home or were old enough to be independent. Suddenly I had 6 weeks to fill…I was a Headteacher and it was the summer holidays. Anyone working in education or knows anyone working in education is well aware that teachers do not have those long holidays work free as assessments, data analysis and planning for the next year all take time and mental energy. However, I found it totally impossible to switch off at all and spent the summer researching new ideas, reviewing and writing new policies, completing our School Self Evaluation, analysing data and setting new targets for my School Improvement Plan. When I returned in the autumn I was certainly on top of my professional game, but as my colleagues discussed their holidays I had nothing interesting to discuss. This became a way of life for me for several years, I was dedicated to my job but was I missing out?

When I look back I can see why I worked like this as I wanted to succeed and make my school the best it could be and although I still work long hours and remain committed to my job I have studied a great deal around how to have a better work life balance and learned the importance of ‘downtime’. I feel now that I do have a more holistic approach to life and I can support others with strategies to do so for themselves.

“Have YOU ever felt that you are drowning under a mountain of work with no escape of any downtime in sight?

Read next week’s blog when I will continue this theme.