By ROBYN GLEESON
Working in the real estate industry can be all-consuming. It’s easy to become completely focused on meeting the ever-increasing demands of clients to the detriment of your personal life. How can you get things back on track and achieve work-life balance?
Do you live to work or work to live?
For many, it’s a tough question – and it assumes that ‘work’ and ‘life’ sit at opposite ends of the spectrum and are in direct competition. But it’s not a competition. You should never be fully defined by your work. Nor should prioritising personal aspects of your life be viewed as a poor reflection on your work ethic.
I must admit that I find it extraordinarily sad when I see the health or relationships of friends and colleagues suffer because they lack work-life balance.
All too often, it’s a major life event – such as a relationship breakdown, death of a loved one, health crisis or forced break from work – that interrupts the status quo and is the catalyst for a reconsideration of life choices. Dealing with negative emotions at these times can be challenging. But these types of events can also lead to a quietening of the mind, allowing you to think more about what your most rewarding life looks like.
“Anything is possible if you set yourself up to believe it. Therefore, the first stumbling block is to adjust your mindset. You need to want the change badly enough to make it happen.”
Change your mindset
Despite resounding evidence that working long hours can be harmful, many professionals struggle to overcome their deeply established habits and engrained mindset when it comes to work hours.
Anything is possible if you set yourself up to believe it. Therefore, the first stumbling block is to adjust your mindset. You need to want the change badly enough to make it happen.
Think of it this way. Would you make work-life balance happen if your life depended on it? Of course, you would. And I’m here to tell you that your life does depend on it, because without a work-life balance that is sustainable in the long term, something will eventually catch up with you.
You’re not being selfish by taking control and living your best life. Life is too short to not do the things you are passionate about.
Remember, it takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to make it your lifestyle!
ROBYN GLEESON is a committed advocate for wellness in the real estate industry. With more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, she is a sought-after consultant, mentor and coach. You can connect with Robyn at ragconsulting.com.au
Strategies to achieve work-life balance
What does it take to free yourself from unhealthy patterns and reach a sustainable, rewarding work-life balance? Try these strategies.
- Prioritise yourself. Your physical, mental and emotional health should be your top priority, so make it your focus.
- Look for support. Be sure to seek support from your family, as well as your manager, mentor and co-workers.
- Seek coaching. Find a coach you can relate to and who will hold your accountable.
- Focus on flexibility. Adopt flexible working arrangements; for example, a nine day fortnight or a day or two working from home each week.
- Plan ahead. Focus on time management and structure your schedule to ensure you have an hour a day of “me time”.
- Invest in yourself. Identify what is most important in your life and work out ways to invest your time accordingly.
- Step away. Don’t be afraid to unplug from time to time and allow yourself some recovery time to gather your thoughts.
- Reconnect. Take time off to spend quality time with your loved ones and recuperate and reset.
- Set boundaries. Create discipline by setting boundaries for yourself and your loved ones.
- Embrace outsourcing. Bring in someone to help with household chores and give you more time to enjoy with family and friends.
- Take up a hobby. Learn a new language, play an instrument or take up yoga. Whatever most interests you, take up a hobby and stick with it.
- Be patient. Achieving balance takes time, so focus on changes that are realistic and keep things fluid.