Work Life Balance

Often there is this pressure to stay on extra, be seen to be doing, always being the one to say “yes”. How helpful is this to our health & wellbeing? It is quite the opposite, but when it is culture in your workplace, it can be hard to shake off. But Rome wasn’t built in a day as they say, and change starts with one person. Could this be you?...
It is one of those scenarios that you may have to “fake it to make it” and this will take you out of the comfort zone initially - but just think of the rewards to you health & wellbeing. Getting the work/life balance will derive a greater sense of wellbeing, by being less stressed, leading to improved productivity and motivation, just to name a couple of benefits.
So practice some stock phrases for how to push back when you receive comments (you will if you are in that culture), set up your diary, email and out of office to reflect your working hours. Do the work that you can do within the time that you have, in as most efficient way possible and if this looks different to the stressed behaviours that indicate “seen to be doing” then so be it - you can only do what you can do. If your workload is piling and someone is trying to load that straw on the camel’s back, then instead of breaking, again, have some stock responses to manage it. With all of this be consistent and positively assertive, this will role model to others and hey presto - you have culture change.
So being the start to the weekend, take some time to reflect and create on a plan and actions for change ready for trying it out on Monday - enjoy the change :)
JC