7 steps to work-life nirvana

By J.J. Edmunds, CPA, CIA, CISA

There is nothing worse than checking your email on your phone late at night and seeing an urgent message from a client or your supervisor about something that needs to be addressed right away. In today’s world, where everyone is always connected, managing work and life is a constant struggle. While technology has infinitely improved the business world, it has also brought with it new struggles and issues. Per a recent study by LinkedIn Learning in April 2019, 70 percent of professionals feel their No. 1 source of stress at work is a lack of work-life balance. Like everything in life, maintaining balance is key. Having said that, here are my seven tips for creating a better work-life balance.

1.    Prepare a to-do list and prioritize it!

Time is the one thing that you can never have too much of. To make sure I use my time as appropriately as possible, I make tons of to-do lists. First thing Monday morning, I sit down and write out everything that I want and need to accomplish for the week. From this list, I begin to prioritize what needs to get accomplished, and on what day that needs to happen. One of the added perks of the to-do list is that I also really enjoy the accomplishment I feel whenever I cross something off the list! Sometimes the little joys of life can help push you through the day.

2.    Set boundaries and expectations.

Make it clear to your co-workers what is important to you. If attending events at your children’s school is something that is important, make sure you set these expectations with your co-workers. Now, this does not mean you have free rein to slack on your work responsibilities, but it does mean you try to be flexible about how and when tasks get accomplished. It is also important to remember to communicate. I used to think by letting people know how much I had going on it was considered complaining. However, it is the exact opposite. Unless I communicate my schedule and workload, people will not know how much I am doing and are unlikely to understand when I don’t have the capability of adding things to my plate. Don’t wait for them to ask; by keeping colleagues up to date on what you have going on, everyone is better able to help manage your work-life balance.

3.    Make time to relax.

A few early mornings a week, I like to play pick-up basketball. On days where I make playing a priority, I always feel more prepared to take on the day than when I do not play in the morning! Even if I can just get 30 to 45 minutes, I still feel a little bit of physical activity makes a huge difference. Another thing I like to do to relax and recharge my batteries is to take 15 to 20 minutes to watch TV while I am eating lunch. I am currently re-watching The Office (for the hundredth time), and I feel like on days where I make it a priority, it really helps break up my day. Nothing gets me more energized for the afternoon like one of Jim’s pranks on Dwight! People always make time for what they want to make time for. It is really important to find what helps you relax and try to make it happen. 

4.    Be flexible. 

Similar to the model many larger companies are moving to, PBMares is a big proponent of a flexible work week. Depending on the employee, this can take many forms. I am a big morning guy, so I like to get into the office really early and get a jumpstart on my day. I am also a big supporter of working remotely.  For me, the commute from my living room to my office upstairs always makes the day better. I also feel like I am more productive on days when my only co-worker is my chocolate lab, Cooper! I feel It is important the we begin to break free from the mentality that “I have to be in my seat in my cube from 9–5 Monday through Friday.”

5.    Be present or be absent, but not BOTH.

When you are working, try to be engaged and focused on what you are doing. This allows you to be not only as effective as possible, but as efficient as possible too. On the flip side, when you are not working, try disconnecting. For me, this means when I am not at work I try to stay off of my phone and my email. Sometimes that even means putting my phone on do not disturb. I also always find if I don’t disengage from work, that I find myself constantly thinking about it.  And there is nothing worse than not being at work, but still thinking about it. Unfortunately, the thought hours don’t count as billable hours!

6.    Know your limits.

Everyone has their limits about how much work they can accomplish in any one day or within a week. After a certain point, you become less efficient and effective, and your time may be better spent re-charging your batteries than continuing to power through. I know it is always easier said than done, but don’t be afraid to say no to tasks either. If you already have a lot on your plate, sometimes it is better to excel in those items than rush through everything just to get more accomplished.

7.    Embrace work-life integration instead of work-life conflict!

I know I have spent the whole article talking about how to manage work and life. Try thinking about the two of them working together, not in an either/or relationship. I know as CPAs, we are always all about the numbers. Try not to think about managing work and life in quantity of hours, but in the quality of those hours. Work hard to make your time matter, both in work and in life.

JJ Edmunds, CPA, CIA, CISA, is an audit supervisor with PBMares, LLP in Richmond, serving primarily financial institution clients. He sits on the VSCPA Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC).