There are two types of people in the world: those who make New Year’s Resolutions and those who think they’re pointless.
But no matter what you think about New Year’s Resolutions, there is something to be said for the opportunities that a new year presents: you have a full 12 months to knock out some of the personal and professional goals you’ve been striving for.
All successes come with hard work. But that hard work cannot be at the expense of your physical, mental, and social well-being.
Enter: work-life balance.
It’s a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot and is endlessly analyzed—there are thousands of tips out there on how to achieve it. But 2022 is a different year because we’re entering year three of dealing with a global pandemic. It has impacted us, both collectively and individually, so goals are going to look different.
Here are some realistic and attainable work-life balance goals to strive for in the year to come.
Find your “why”
Before jumping into some realistic goals to set, we encourage you to first look inward. You need to know your “why” behind making changes in your life; knowing the “why” will be a motivating factor to creating sustainable changes.
Ask yourself:
- How am I feeling?
- Am I burnt out?
- What is most urgent to address?
This article from Harvard Business Review lays out a 5-step plan for implementing work-life balance goals:
- Pause and reflect
- Pay attention to your emotions
- Reprioritize
- Consider alternatives
- Implement changes
Once you know your “why” you can start implementing some of these realistic work-life balance goals for 2022:
1. Limit your news intake
If you’re like most of us, you’ve been glued to the TV and social media, consuming news about the pandemic.
And it can get depressing.
Increased news consumption and “doomscrolling” have been studied and linked to increased stress and anxiety. Therefore, it’s important to decrease the time spent listening to negative news. Try swapping it out with positive news sources and things that are uplifting, positive, and important to you.
2. Just leave your home
Seriously. Just leave! If you’ve been working from home, you know how easy it is to stay inside, cozied up in your pajamas while working with the TV on in the background.
It’s time to get out. Just go for a quick walk around the block. The fresh air, exercise, and exposure to daylight can do wonders for your mental health and ability to focus.
3. Find a new workplace
If you have a flexible work arrangement, consider new places to work to increase motivation and interest. This could be the local cafe that makes a mean mocha or your public library.
Coworking spaces are an amazing option because they are fully equipped offices with everything you need to get your work done. The flexibility allows you to come and go as you please and also take advantage of flex spaces to meet and engage with other professionals.
4. Get away from screens
Before 2020, most of us had never even used Zoom, and now there is a term for overusing it: Zoom fatigue.
It might not be possible to get away from screens during your workday, but it is absolutely possible during your personal life. Instead of endless social media scrolling, Netflix binges, and online shopping (all of which are great in moderation!), try a new, screen-less hobby.
This could be things like…
- Painting
- Walking
- Rock climbing
- Talking on the phone
- Reading
- Baking
- Hiking
- Yoga
- Journaling
The list goes on. Get creative and have fun with it!
5. Be imperfect
It has to be said: you’re a human and you’re not perfect. It’s okay to allow yourself room to learn and grow. Work-life balance is not a perfect science.
Sometimes you have to work like crazy for a few weeks because of a deadline… that’s okay! Just be aware and then adjust afterward. Work-life balance is not a destination, it’s a journey to keep working towards.
6. Say “no” when you need to
As we come out of the pandemic, there is a level of pressure to get back to “normal” and fill our schedules up with things to do and people to see. Some people are feeling the effects of post-pandemic anxiety as they increase social interactions.
Whether you are nervous about increasing interactions for safety reasons or have just come to enjoy a slower-paced life, it’s okay to say no! Set the boundaries you need to in order to protect your physical and mental health.
7. Try a working holiday
One of the benefits of the pandemic has been the rise in remote work and flexible work conditions. We no longer believe the myth that work has to be done in the same office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
If you’re able, try a working holiday! Get out of your day-to-day and explore a new city. You can take advantage of coworking spaces in a new city if you need access to an office (come to Tuscon and visit us!).
It’s a new year, so why not try something new and make work-life balance a priority? Use these seven tips to make 2022 the best year yet!
To learn more about why flexible office space is the perfect option for remote employees and satellite teams, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.