6 ways you can improve your work-life balance

Posted by Elling Håmsø on 13. 50. 2018
Elling Håmsø
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The line between work and personal life is becoming more and more blurry; after all, we carry an office in our pockets 24/7. There is an increasing awareness of just how overwhelming issues that are born out of work-related stress can be, and yet, work-life balance, the holy grail of modern life, seems more elusive than ever.

work-life balance

A change of perspective

The word ‘balance’ is a bit problematic, as it implies that we should be spending an equal proportion of time on work and on leisure – something that is practically impossible to achieve and doesn’t make much sense to want in the first place.

We should rather aim to catch the right rhythm between our work responsibilities and life outside of the office and try to find both pleasure and a sense of achievement in all spheres of our lives.

A good work-life balance means different things to different people. There are various circumstances to consider: personal goals and wishes, characteristics of the culture we live in, the industry we work in, and so on. There is no recipe that would uniformly work for everyone.

work-life balance

Among the circumstances that hinder our pursuit of a better work-life balance, some are harder to change than others. But some are simple, and none are impossible.

Norway, the home country of Håmsø Patent & Trademark Attorneys, is a country known for its great work-life balance. Download our FREE ebook 'Life and Work in Norway' if you’re tempted to know more about living and working in Norway.

So, what can you do to improve your work-life balance?

  • Learn to prioritise and focus on one thing at a time.

Don’t feel like you must complete every task and solve every problem at once. Determine which are the important ones, schedule how much time they need, and stick to working on them first. Try your best to avoid any time-wasting activities.

  • Start saying no.

We often feel overworked because we take on tasks we personally don’t find meaning in. Before saying yes to any new responsibility that isn’t absolutely necessary, take time to consider whether that’s something you really want or need to do. If you don’t, don’t feel bad to decline.

  • Don’t be shy to ask for help.

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally outsourcing some of your responsibilities. Let go of the idea that you alone can do everything. Chances are that someone from your social network is capable and happy to lend a hand.

work-life balance

  • Take time for your body and soul.

We tend to underestimate the effect regular exercising has on our energy level, so we quickly sacrifice it when we are busy. Make it one of your top priorities, along with getting plenty of rest. Relaxation techniques, meditation, and simply spending time in nature help your mind to stay focused.

  • Take time for your family and friends.

Plan the time you wish to spend with your loved ones purposely; don’t just leave it to chance. Make the time count; don’t spend it checking and answering your work e-mails. Socialising is an important aspect of life, neglecting it can make us feel empty. But keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with limiting contact with people who only drain your energy.

  • Don’t be afraid of making big changes.

If you feel that your current lifestyle doesn’t give much room to find a better work-life balance, don’t be afraid to think bigger. If you can’t stand being stuck in traffic for hours, consider moving closer to your place of work. If your boss is simply too overbearing or you feel like you’re constantly missing out on everything because of inflexible hours, consider finding a job elsewhere. (You can always look for vacancies at Håmsø 😊.)

Bigger changes may sound scary at first, but we only have one life to live and we shouldn’t let the fear of change stand in the way of our happiness.

At Håmsø we work to live, not live to work

Our line of business is notorious for the pressure of working under the standard of the billable hour. But employees at Håmsø do not fall under the stereotype of the overworked patent attorney.

Work-life balance is a notion held in high regard in the Norwegian culture, and our company philosophy reflects that. We want everyone in our team to have enough flexibility to fulfil their own career and personal goals.

download ebook Life and Work in Norway

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