Most of us dream of the ultimate goal of work-life balance, but how can you make it a reality? Whether you’re self-employed or working for a company, working full-time, part-time, or flexibly, juggling work and family life is challenging. Working from home can make setting boundaries even harder, even if it saves on commuting costs and gives you more flexibility regarding childcare.
Boundary-setting is vital
Historically, setting boundaries may have been seen as almost a negative thing. But as we realise that we mums aren’t superhuman and can’t do it all, people are starting to recognise that setting boundaries is a healthy practice for life, not just for balancing work and family needs. Setting boundaries is about prioritising ourselves, our mental health, and our self-care and being open and honest about what is and isn’t achievable. Back in the day, when fathers went out to work and mothers stayed home, boundaries were clearer. Of course, we’d much rather have the equality and opportunities we have now. But as a result, those boundaries have become blurred.
When it comes to setting boundaries for work and family life, think about these key factors:
1. Time. Set clear expectations on the hours you have to work and the hours you have available for your family. If you and your partner work full-time, you both must take an equal share of family life.
2. Location. Especially if you work from home, it’s so important to set boundaries around your working space. Having a separate workspace is ideal, as it lets you shut the door at the end of the day and maintain a clear divide between work and family life. If you don’t have the luxury of that space, try and at least tidy away your work things or close down the laptop and turn off the phone. Modern technology makes it so tempting to check work emails in the evenings or on weekends. But if you want your family to respect your work time, then you need to give the same dedication to family time too.
3. Tasks & Responsibilities. The pandemic caused enormous difficulties for most of us but also uncovered a few hidden gems. I know one of my Regional Directors sat down with her family and had a very open and honest discussion about how if they were all going to live, work and learn in the same space, they all needed to take a share in household tasks. People talk about the balance between work and family, but a whole heap of time goes into running a household. Cooking, cleaning, and shopping aren’t spending time with family but are tasks that need to be done. If you can share household tasks with different family members, you can ensure that family time is really about spending time together, not just getting the ironing done.
4. Delegate & Outsource. You don’t have to do everything yourself! Balancing work and family life is about making time for everything important. Other family members may help with tasks and responsibilities, but outsourcing to others – from cleaning and ironing to bookkeeping or marketing if you are self-employed can all help free up valuable time for you to spend with your family.
5. Headspace. You need to manage your headspace to strike the right balance between work and family life. It’s (relatively!) easy to walk away from your desk at the end of the day. But it’s much harder to mentally let go and not be distracted during family time thinking about work or struggling to concentrate at work because you’re thinking about home. Being able to compartmentalise is difficult, but there are loads of mental health tips and techniques that can help you take control of your thoughts. Finding space between work and family life is crucial. For me, a dog walk first thing in the morning gives me the headspace to think about the day ahead, and my Pilates or boxing class at the end of the day lets me process everything that’s happened so I can focus my evenings on the family. Even squeezing in a few minutes for a cup of tea by yourself isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential investment that enables you to give your best at work and in family life.
There is no magic formula for balancing work and family life. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Nine to five isn’t the only way to work. Finding a job that gives you the flexibility you crave and stretches you mentally is possible. You don’t have to sacrifice your career for your lifestyle. The right mindset can help you find the right flexible working solution, communicate your needs, set clear boundaries and establish the work-life balance you crave. Check out our LinkedIn Live replay here for more expert advice about maintaining boundaries when working part-time.
About Rebecca
After a successful career in corporate buying for retail giants Superdrug and Sainsbury’s, Rebecca Newenham set out to grow and scale a business that worked for her and her family. She founded Get Ahead in 2010 and has built a thriving, award-winning global VA franchise business. A business mentor, franchise consultant and flexible working champion, Rebecca published her first business book, ‘Virtually Yours’ in 2020 and won the British Franchise Association Franchise Balance award in 2021.
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