Women in Business: Finding the Balance Between Work and Personal Lives 

The battle for gender equality is ongoing in many industries throughout the United States. Although more and more women are taking on high-power, demanding roles, the struggle to find a healthy work-life balance is a real one both for single women and those with families. Is it possible to achieve such a balance, and if so, how?

Why you Need Work-Life Balance

Balancing your work and personal lives means drawing a clear demarcation between the two without letting them bleed into each other. It can seem almost impossible to achieve, particularly when you’re climbing up the ladder, but it is doable and it doesn’t have to mean neglecting one or the other. Maintaining a work-life balance is a necessity for many reasons, including:

• Improved physical and mental health
• A less-stressful work environment
• Increased productivity on the job  
• Guilt-free free time
• Presenting a better attitude to employees and clients

Keeping work and free-time activities in their rightful time and place doesn’t have to be an arduous struggle. There are simple things you can do to make sure that you’re making the best of both worlds.

Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Creating a balance between work and personal time sounds ideal, but for many professional women, it may seem like one that’s impossible to achieve. How can you maintain a healthy balance, and why is it so important?

Here are some tips for keeping your work responsibilities and your personal life in their place:

• Don’t be afraid to delegate: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Make sure that you have trusted colleagues working around you so you can offload some of your responsibilities when they get too overwhelming.
• Use your resources wisely: Don’t say yes to everything. Whether it’s an extra project at work or a request from a family member. Avoid burdening yourself with more activities than you can handle at one time.
• Allow yourself decompression time: When you get home from work, take some time to yourself to unwind and transition from your business mode of thinking before you spend time with your partner or children. Whether it’s a soak in the tub, a 20-minute workout, or 10 minutes of meditation, you’ll all feel the benefits. 

Some Advice from One Who Knows

San Francisco-based financial planner Daniella Rand has two decades of experience within the industry. She offers some valuable advice for professional women who are struggling to find an optimal work-life balance: “Life is precious and short, so I’ve learned to pursue my non-professional passions without feeling guilty,” says Rand. “I’m actually more productive for it, and, frankly, I’m a role model for many of my accomplished, hard-working clients who strive to have more of a work-life balance.” 

Next time you’re feeling stressed about the number of work hours in your day, or feeling guilty about taking some time off to enjoy life, take a look at your work-life balance and see if there are some positive changes you can make.