Is Work Life Balance Even a Thing?

Most of us struggle with finding that sweet spot of a work/life balance. As career women, it’s important that we prioritize our job and finances, but it’s also unrealistic to spend every waking minute focused on your career because eventually you will burn out. 

Is it possible to have it all?

How do you achieve success as well as personal happiness?

In order to be a successful woman, it’s important to figure out a healthy work/life balance - or whatever that truly means for you. It takes hard work and resilience, but us unicorns can do it!

Here are my 5 tips for managing work and your personal life at the same time:

1. Set Intentions

In order to even begin, you have to figure out what you want in both your personal and professional life. This means choosing objectives and goals that are non-negotiable versus what isn’t as important or a priority. What are your most important commitments? If you have these figured out, it will be easier to decide the things you must prioritize and let the other things go. 

2. Delegation is Everything 

Even though we try, it’s impossible to do everything all the time.

Delegation is all about trusting another person with a task or responsibility and learning to let go. For us control freaks out there, this can be a pretty daunting task. But luckily, if you’re not good at this already, this is a skill you can focus and improve upon. Whether at work or at home, it’s important to lean on and trust a few people to handle things when you can’t. Your circle. Make sure to be straightforward and honest about your expectations to avoid disappointment or mistakes. 

3. Limit Distractions

Wherever you are, just be there. If you’re at work, have laser focus on completing your non-negotiable’s and important tasks to stay on task and super productive. When you’re at home, try as best as possible to put your phone down or avoid watching too much TV so you can instead use that time to strengthen your bond with your partner or kids. When you are fully present, it will be much easier to enjoy where you are without stressing where you should be. 

4. Learn to Say No

This is one of the single hardest things to do. Many of us feel pressured to say “yes” to everything (with our kids this can especially be hard), which comes from a want to please others and not let anyone down. I get it — it can be awkward, uncomfortable, or tense to say that dreaded 2-letter word. But often when we say yes when we want to say no, we feel bitter, exhausted, and frustrated. So, choose discomfort over resentment and learn to put yourself first sometimes. There is nothing wrong with it! Be true to yourself and don’t let yourself be overcome with guilt. No means no sometimes.

5. Let Go of Guilt

Just like learning to say no can make you feel guilty, there are a million other things that can give us guilt. Remember that balancing work and family life is a hard task, but you are truly benefitting your family and showing your children how to manage it all. Just know that the most successful career women don’t dwell on the things they think they haven’t accomplished but instead know how to live in the moment and come to terms with the most important priorities and choices. But you’re not alone! If you feel especially guilty, reach out to other career moms or my Facebook Group for love and support. 

Ultimately, it’s important to create a plan, stay organized, and find the right balance between parenthood and your profession. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but make a strong effort at finding this balance - or whatever we want to call it - so you will feel more at peace. 

Love yourself - it’s the best love you will ever have.

Join Sparkle Unleashed or more tips, guidance and support at SparkleUnleashedCommunity.com. Or connect with Jennifer Stroman on Facebook!