$pa Marketing: Achieving Work-Life Balance

As we approach one of the busiest times of the year, the idea of instilling a healthy work-life balance is more important than ever—but it can get especially tricky. On one hand, our work, friend and family obligations are seemingly endless; on the other, our overall wellness shouldn’t be ignored. I know first-hand what a crazy-busy schedule feels like, so I’d like to share a few tips that have worked well for me. But first, let’s talk about why achieving work-life balance is so important.

Why Work Life Balance Matters

Think about the last time you were in a very stressful work situation. Maybe a co-worker wasn’t pulling their weight and you had a major deadline, or your boss wasn’t seeing things your way and you worried you might even lose your job. These types of scenarios have a profound effect on us, both mentally and physically. From lack of sleep to under/over-eating to raised blood pressure—if we stay in that state of stress for a long enough period of time, our health will inevitably suffer. Our amazing bodies can handle a fairly large amount of stress for some time, but not for prolonged periods (without consequences). Though we can’t always remove the stressors, we can learn to counter-act them with self-care.

Step One - Get Real

No one can do everything perfectly—it simply isn’t possible. Getting real about your tasks at hand includes taking an honest look at who is the best person for any particular job—and it might not be you! Is there someone to whom you can delegate certain jobs that would give you more time and energy to focus on the things at which you excel? Most people appreciate your willingness to trust them to do a job well. Ask for help.

Step Two - Be Clear

With so many people working from home these days, it can be difficult to set (and keep) specific office hours. Your boss might not care if you work until 10 pm every night, but your body might speak differently. Set a reasonable schedule and stick to it, leaving room for healthy activities such as exercise, getting some sunlight and eating healthy.

Related: Millennials Value Work-Life Balance, Wellness

Step Three - Factor in Some Fun

Schedule some time to do something that you enjoy, every single day—whether that’s calling a friend or family member for a quick check-in, trying out a new recipe, taking your dog for a walk or signing up for a group exercise class—make it something that you look forward to. You want this activity to feel like a fun break in your workday—not just another obligation.

Step Four – Quiet Time

Whether you meditate, pray or just sit quietly for 10-15 minutes daily, studies have shown this can have a profound impact on your overall feeling of wellness. I use an app on my phone that reminds me when it’s time to just … be.

Step Five - Prioritize, and then Re-Prioritize

What are your top four or five priorities today? Is there anything that lists as a priority, but isn’t giving you much joy? Can you delegate that? If not, is there a way you can adjust your schedule to ensure that responsibility gets taken care of, but perhaps you can move something else off your list? Just like life, priorities change over time. Check in with your priorities at least twice a year and make adjustments as necessary.

Taking time for yourself truly isn’t a luxury, nor is it selfish—just as burning yourself out and ignoring your own basic needs is not ultimately productive. Know what’s important to you, and what you can let go. Asking for help is ultimately one of the strongest things you can do, and paramount to maintaining balance.

Louis “The Laser Guy’s” Three Additional Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance

1. Learn to say no to requests that give you no joy or fulfillment. Sounds easy, but sometimes this requires practice and/or better communication regarding your goals.
2. Schedule regular breaks—they are just as important as completing the items on your daily To Do list. A break could be as simple as a walk around the block or getting up to make yourself a cup of tea.
3. Set reasonable expectations for completing tasks—if you’re working on a project that will take several hours (or longer), break it up into 45-minute chunks (incorporating breaks) until it is completed.

Louis “The Laser Guy” Silberman is CEO/Founder of National Laser Institute, a cosmetic laser  and medical esthetic training institute. He is the owner of medical spas in Scottsdale, Arizona,  Dallas, Texas, and Oakbrook, Illinois, and a nationally recognized author and motivational marketing speaker. Silberman created the 6th most visited online health site and was a semi- finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014. Most recently, he created “Louology, the science behind crushing it in aesthetics, in beauty and in life,” designed to help aesthetics and beauty pros stay connected and build thriving practices. He can be contacted at  [email protected] and followed on Instagram @ louisthelaserguy.