We’re taking work-life balance a notch higher with the concept that they can actually work with one another. These twelve female leaders at Hello Health Group show us how it’s done and how they exemplify our number one value — Health Above All.
Medically reviewed by Mia Dacumos, MD · Nephrology · Makati Medical Center
We’re taking work-life balance a notch higher with the concept that they can actually work with one another. These twelve female leaders at Hello Health Group show us how it’s done and how they exemplify our number one value — Health Above All.
I have 3 things that make me very balanced even when I can work like a crazy lady:
A sense of achievement fuels my happiness, but achievement is a “balance” game — happy mum, happy partner, happy worker. This keeps me in a healthy mental state even if I am working 12 hours a day. There is PURPOSE!
I don’t have a strict rule to follow but I practice “work-life integration.” It is all about maximising and planning my time so that I get to fulfil my work commitment and at the same time, have my “me” time. Self-care is important.
For e.g. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are my Get Fit weekday evenings – very precious “me” time. I try my best to stick to schedule so meetings after 6pm will be declined unless absolutely necessary.
To take a quick break from thinking about work, I allow myself to watch one episode of my favourite sitcom while eating lunch. I am watching “Schitt’s Creek.” So, my lunchtime is determined by the duration of the sitcom which is between 20 to 25 minutes.
It is all about planning and setting boundaries. To be honest, I am still learning and adjusting. The key is to be kind to myself.
I spend quality time with my family — especially, the kids — in the morning, evenings, and weekends. When I’m with them, I put my phone away, so I’m 100% with them. This way, I’ve managed to create some boundaries, and don’t let work creep into personal life.
I manage my time well by spending more time with someone that I like, and less time with someone (or something) that I don’t like. I enjoy my break time or vacation time. I spend more time with my family. I manage my work, prioritize my health, and go for a more active social life.
I don’t force harmony on a daily basis. Some days will definitely be imbalanced; the left will inevitably compromise for the right and vice versa. I simply embrace these realities.
Rather than stressing myself more about the fact that I cannot always balance both, I just go with the flow and at the end of the day just ensure at least 2 things (1 work and 1 life — don’t mind how big or small it is) that I promised to accomplish really gets done.
I think people will need to feel “healthy” inside first before doing anything else.
So what I do everyday is:
I would love to learn new things from people by listening to them and copying their good behavior, especially their sense of humor.
My health is my priority, and I make time for myself.
For me, a typical day begins with one hour of uninterrupted “me time” to read, exercise, followed by a bit of meditation and gratitude journaling. I draw firm boundaries throughout the day by not taking any unnecessary meetings or overestimating my time to complete any project. No mindless scrolling during work hours, and I practice the Pomodoro technique to stay focused during my peak time.
I work smarter, not harder. With proper planning, I only need to work for 5 hours, with 1 hour of nap and 8 hours of sleep to recharge. By making my relationships a priority, my productivity and effectiveness on the job increased, and I don’t work overtime.
I always take time to give myself a treat everyday, even if only for 15 to 30 minutes; whether it’s cooking or reading my favorite book or watching my favorite show.
It reminds me to focus on things we can be thankful for amidst the craziness of work and life in general.
For me, work and life go hand in hand. I am fortunate in the sense that I get to do what I love, but that can lead to a slippery slope at times. The key for me is to set healthy limits and boundaries.
In my early 20s, I had an interview with a famous CEO of a top PR agency in Vietnam.
I asked him, “How do you maintain work-life balance?”
He asked me if I liked ice cream, then took me to the pantry and got us two popsicles, one for me and one for him. Then he said, “I am in my office at 8pm, having ice cream and a good conversation with a new friend. That’s work-life balance for me.”
Until now, I always choose what that balance looks like, and find creative ways to practice it.
It means I am committed to listening to my needs and knowing my own limits, which will vary at different stages and different times. It means that I am constantly motivated to plan ahead, to prioritize, to set boundaries, and to say “No” when needed, so I can spend my limited time and energy on things that matter most to me.
How I practice work-life harmony is by taking a break and going outdoors. I remind myself there’s so much more to explore from this world other than work, even with just 10 mins under the sunlight.
I try to slow down for a second and clear my mind, feel the breeze, feel the flow of the wind. It helps me feel fulfilled, especially in the company of friends and loved ones.
To me, work-life harmony is the state of feeling good about the way I integrate work into my personal life.
It’s important to manage time, have a routine, enjoy the little things in my life, and focus on my mental and physical health.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
People Are Also Reading This
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion