In many ways, the convenience of work from home (WFH) is counterbalanced by downsides that few of us anticipated before the lockdowns. One of the most prevalent is how work seems to pervade all hours of the day. Here are five simple hacks to take charge of your schedule and really put your time to good use.
After Work Activities
Most of us don’t abide by our resolutions because it is difficult to stick to a schedule. Whether it is time for exercise, personal development, or just a leisure activity, we just conveniently forget. You can hack the habit by scheduling your chosen activity right after work.
It could be a sport, a class, or a club. Schedule the activity for a time when it is most convenient to leave work and go there instead of going home first.
Use Your Commute
If you can engage in an activity right after work, why not also make the best use of your commute? The average person spends over ten hours a week on their work commute. Unfortunately, most of us spend it mindlessly swiping our screens on social media.
Public transport may be the best time to catch up on industry news in preparation for your day. A post-work reading session may give you a crucial edge over colleagues the morning after. If you drive, turn off the music in favor of a relevant podcast or audiobook.
Ban the Distractions
No social media app interface was designed by accident; each is intentionally constructed to engage you and then keep you engaged. The result is that we spend hours at a stretch without even realizing it. The only way you can break the pattern is by making a deliberate decision to forego that rabbit hole.
It may seem impossible to you now but start with a daily time limit, or by delaying when you start. Extend this approach to television (including Netflix, etc.) and you will suddenly have plenty of time on your hands to do all the things that matter instead.
Pencil it In
There are few things as compelling as a few short words on a calendar. Seeing them repeatedly reinforces the idea that the activity cannot be overlooked. It also gives your mind time to prepare for the event and possibly even work out some details in advance.
Start with one or two and, if it works well, pencil in regular blocks of time for dedicated activities.
Find Creative Hobbies
It is extremely satisfying to create something truly original. It could be a few lines of poetry, a simple line drawing, a painting, or an entire chapter of your first book. Studies also show that people of all ages are more sociable and perceived to be more interesting when they engage in creative pursuits.
Just be careful – some creative hobbies are so addictive that you might find yourself struggling to get back into work mode!
Find more Work-Life Balance articles on my website to learn more about the steps you can take to reclaim your work-life balance.
