Finding a Work-Life Balance
By Saghir Aslam
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
(The following information is provided solely to educate the Muslim community about investing and financial planning. It is hoped that the Ummah will benefit from this effort through greater financial empowerment, enabling the community to live in security and dignity and fulfill their religious and moral obligations towards charitable activities)
It shouldn’t take a drastic, life- altering emergency to realize you need to lead a healthier, more balanced life. But many struggles with work overtaking their lives, and technology is a big reason for our work – focused culture. While technology has made it easier to work from home or check email from anywhere, many employees feel they need to respond to every email immediately. In a recent poll commissioned by Adobe system, 87% of respondent said they checked their business email outside working hours.
Working an excessive number of hours also can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Taking break from work can recharge employees, making them more energized on the job.
So how do you make sure it doesn’t take medical emergency or researching a state of exhaustion to get the work- life balance you need? The following insights may be a starting point.
Take your vacation. Research done by the U.S. Travel Association`s project: Time OFF found that 55% of Americans didn`t take all their vacation time, with many saying they felt they couldn`t leave because no one else could get the job done.
Research shows that employees who take vacation return to work rejuvenated and are generally healthier. To overcome that feeling of leaving your projects unmaintained while you are away, designate a capable employee to take your responsibilities while you are gone.
Unplug After hours. Establish a firm quitting time ate the end of each day and stick to it. Try to limit the amount of time you check email or answer your cell phone regarding anything business- related after hours, especially on weekends an hour before bedtime, because screen viewing can disrupt sleep. Make sure you adhere to this on vacation. If there`s some expectation that you stay connected with work, let your supervisor know that you will check email a minimal amount for urgent messages.
Exercise is key to you. health for your happiness even how well you perform your task either you are self-employed or you are working for someone exercise can and will perform miracle. Let me share with you even today at the age of 83 I hardly ever miss a day when I don`t exercise my regular routine of walking is five mile daily of spending one hour at the gym.
Schedule family time. With calendar full of work- related appointments, Family can often get pushed down on the priority list. Deliberately scheduling family events can help you work in quality time with the important people in your personal life.
Family time is essential you must set time aside each day of your life to spend some quality time with your family it really doesn`t matter what you do, take your family to dinner go for a picnic together. The entire idea is to be with your family this will charge your battery your performance will improve you will do much better either in your own business or you are working for some, you will be amazed with the results.
Set short- and long term goals. It`s important to have a model for how you want your life too look, say Michael D. Rabin, a life coach in Manhattan, New York. Map out a diagram of the percentage of your life you want to devote to work as opposed to other pursuits over next two to five years. “ if you are consciously working towards a specific kind of balance, it is easier to make decisions along the way that enable you to get there, ”he says .For example , a person who wants more time with their family may decide to forego a work promotion that requires too much time away from home.
(Saghir A. Aslam only explains strategies and formulas that he has been using. He is merely providing information, and NO ADVICE is given. Mr Aslam does not endorse or recommend any broker, brokerage firm, or any investment at all, nor does he suggest that anyone will earn a profit when or if they purchase stocks, bonds or any other investments. All stocks or investment vehicles mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. Mr Aslam is not an attorney, accountant, real estate broker, stockbroker, investment advisor, or certified financial planner. Mr Aslam does not have anything for sale.)
(This article has been written in collaboration with Walt, Homerding Well Frago Advisors)
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