Most people these days juggle their career and family life, which can make anyone stressed out and overwhelmed at times. The pace of life is hectic and the demands imposed on everyone are piling up by the minute. Wherever you turn, it seems like there’s a new kind of duty or difficulty for you to handle.
Since both your professional life and loved ones are equally important and time-intensive, figuring out how to prioritize your responsibilities can be very tricky. If you’d like to learn how to do it more effectively, read on for some of the best tips and tricks. With these handy strategies up your sleeve, your daily routine will unfold more smoothly and you’ll be much more satisfied with your life.
1. Set short-term goals
Going for huge, ambitious projects can be overwhelming and discouraging. Many steps go into achieving a milestone, such as getting a big promotion or getting your child into the best school possible. While you can keep your sights on such far-reaching goals, it’s better to take it one step at a time and plan only a few days ahead. Break the goal down into smaller chunks and take it from there. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and pride after every small achievement. Celebrate it and then move onto the next step.
2. Stop feeling guilty
You’re not superhuman, so don’t beat yourself up about not being able to be at two places at once. Being a successful professional takes sacrifice and it means there will be times when you’ll miss your child’s school play or big match. Similarly, being a superstar parent means y\there will be days when you’ll have to leave work early and care for your little one who’s come down with the flu. You can make up for these things in other ways, so stop the thought train and relax. The key is to strike the right balance and let go of guilt when you can’t do different things at the same time.
3. Have help at your disposal
Finding a trustworthy person to take care of your children while you work is another staple of responsible parenting. No one can do everything all alone and even if you have a supportive spouse, you’ll need someone else to chip in from time to time. Some grandparents or other relatives are more than happy to help, but if this is not an option, you’ll need a qualified nanny.
Needless to say, it’s very important for the babysitter and child to get along well, so make sure the little one warms up to them before you leave them all alone. Arrange for a few play dates in advance to see if they’re the right match. If something about the nanny doesn’t sit right with you, trust your gut feeling and keep looking. Otherwise, you won’t be able to relax and you’ll keep worrying about what’s going on at home.
4. Be present
Stay in the moment whatever you’re doing. Don’t let work stress spill over into your private life. Leave it behind the closed door of the office when you leave home and focus your full attention on your children while you’re off duty. If you’re distracted by work stuff, you won’t be able to fully engage with the kids and they’ll definitely notice. Instead, play together at a nice indoor playground and take your mind off everything else.
Practice the same strategy when you’re at work. Even though you may have had an argument with your spouse, wait until after hours to deal with it mentally and emotionally. Let work have your undivided attention and put everything else aside.