Work-Life Balance: 3 Tips to Find Harmony

Everyone talks about finding the balance between work and personal life, also known as work-life balance, which is about striking a satisfying compromise between the time spent on work and the time dedicated to what matters most to us outside of our professional roles—like being with loved ones, pursuing personal interests, or enjoying hobbies. When work demands more time or attention, it leaves less room to manage other aspects of daily life.

For this reason, many people aspire to achieve a better balance between work and personal life, even though it sometimes seems like an uphill battle. In some cases, a demanding job means earning more money to support the family; in others, the work itself can be emotionally draining, affecting personal relationships.

In my opinion, this quest is futile. If we assume that “balance” means dividing time equally, it becomes clear that true balance is unattainable.

This is why I believe it’s more appropriate to talk about finding harmony rather than balance. Seeking harmony can improve overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and mental health. Interestingly, while many employers (and workers) associate long work hours with increased productivity, studies suggest the opposite: after a certain number of hours, productivity decreases as the risk of errors and accidents rises. Achieving a healthy work-life balance can reduce stress and boost productivity.

I explored this concept further through my translation of the second edition of Who’s in Your Room?.

In this article, I’ll share 3 practical tips for creating harmony in your life, all of which involve effective time management.

Start with organization, a fundamental aspect of life. Each day is a 24-hour gift, and we choose how to use it. One excellent habit is dedicating the first 30 minutes of the morning to reviewing and confirming the day’s tasks. Nowadays, there are many apps that make this process quick and simple.

Planning daily activities helps set priorities and estimate the time required—or the time we want to dedicate—to each task. If mornings are too hectic, no problem: you can always plan in the last 30 minutes before bedtime. Interestingly, doing so allows the subconscious to work on the plans and goals while you sleep, often leading to fresh ideas and insights in the morning that can be applied to your day’s work.

Sometimes, a “closed list” approach can improve planning. This is the opposite of a wish list: while a wish list has no limits, a closed list imposes them, helping you better manage time. There are many apps available to create and stick to closed lists. By doing so, you won’t need to prioritize endlessly—you simply complete the list’s tasks during the workday.

Establishing boundaries between life areas, defining them clearly, and communicating these boundaries to others is essential. Learn to respect these boundaries yourself—for example, by avoiding checking work emails or messages during a workout session. These moments are crucial for recharging physical and mental energy.

Such moments are vital for personal growth and form part of a broader, indispensable activity: self-care. This non-negotiable element of your routine includes activities that make you feel good, like exercising, pursuing hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or relaxing. Prioritizing your well-being and allocating time to personal goals is key. Notably, having hobbies, learning new skills, or engaging in volunteer work can even enhance your professional performance.

Achieving a harmonious life requires not only carving out time for yourself but also being open and honest—first with yourself, then with others—about your boundaries. These boundaries should align with every area of your life, both work-related and personal.

While organization and planning are crucial for harmony, optimizing time helps manage your daily routine, ensuring you stay on top of work tasks while also dedicating time to personal interests.

As I mentioned in a previous article, time itself cannot be managed, but we can improve how we manage ourselves within time. To do so, minimizing distractions is vital. One major challenge of 24/7 connectivity is constant exposure to interruptions. For instance, while writing a report, you might suddenly receive an intriguing email or a notification about a new social media connection. In seconds, you’ve lost focus on the report.

Paying attention to where your time goes is equally important. Whether it’s checking social media, replying to comments, chatting with colleagues, or taking a coffee break, these are all precious minutes slipping away. Tracking workplace distractions for just one week could reveal how much time is spent on productive work versus wasted on non-productive activities.

Another key to better time management is delegation. If you want a life outside the office, you can’t insist on doing everything yourself. Many of us struggle to relinquish control over our work, perhaps believing that “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” Others wrongly think delegating is a sign of laziness or taking advantage of others.

Delegating takes time to get used to but offers significant benefits for both managers and their teams. Trying to handle too many tasks leads to burnout, poor work quality, missed deadlines, and time management problems. Delegation is not a sign of weakness but of leadership.

The Time Management program, designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers, salespeople, HR managers, and team leaders, aims to provide practical tools to improve self-management in time, helping create a life full of harmony.