Here's how you can maintain work-life balance in a public administration career.

Prioritizing tasks is indeed essential for maintaining productivity and managing workload effectively in public administration. Here’s a breakdown of the key points mentioned: Identify High-Impact Activities: Recognizing tasks that align with organizational goals and have significant consequences is crucial. These tasks contribute directly to the mission and objectives of the organization. Allocate Time Wisely: Once high-impact activities are identified, allocate time and energy accordingly. Focus on these tasks during periods of peak productivity, ensuring optimal performance.

Scheduling your key tasks in your calendar helps ensure you will get them done, especially when they are thinking or strategising as these important activities may get squeezed out by urgent but less important tasks. What gets scheduled gets done ... and leaving some time in the diary for reading emails and dealing with the unexpected every day also helps ensure your schedule is realistic and you're able to go home every day with satisfaction!

When delegating providing care and clear direction for the person you're delegating to is critical so they don't get frustrated or waste time not meeting your expectations. Identifying when the task is required by, to what standard exactly (ie is it a polished report or some ideas in dot point form...), for whom (audience) are a few examples. Mind reading isn't possible :)

Explore Flexible Working Arrangements: Telecommuting: If your job allows, work from home or another remote location part-time or full-time. Flexible Hours: Adjust your work hours to start earlier or later than the typical workday, depending on your personal needs. Compressed Workweeks: Work longer hours over fewer days, such as four 10-hour days, to gain an extra day off. Communicate with Your Employer: Discuss your needs and options with your supervisor or HR department. Be clear about how flexible arrangements can benefit both you and the organization. Leverage Technology: Utilize collaboration tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack to stay connected with your team while working remotely.

It's useful to think about the fact we 'REAP' what we sow in our work... with REAP being a initialism that stands for : R - Respect (the work and those you're engaging with) E - Engage early to avoid problems A - Avoid Assumptions by asking lots of questions P - build Powerful Partnerships REAPing what you sow is an easy way to remember what could be important to your success - both at work, at home and in other areas of your life. :)

Having come close to burning out at various points I found paying attention to the 6 "S's" worked to help me be at my best. The 6 S's are: - Sleep (getting enough and quality consistently) - Sustenance (diet and not skipping meals when the pressure is on) - Sweat (exercise, even when you can only manage 10 mins) - Sunlight (get out in it, feel its energising rays) - Social (connect with those who are important to you) - Spirit (ensure you are doing what feeds your soul and makes you feel good outside of work)

Maintaining work-life balance in a public administration career is essential for overall well-being and job satisfaction. Here are some strategies to help you achieve this balance: Establish Boundaries Set Clear Work Hours: Define specific work hours and stick to them as much as possible. Communicate your availability to colleagues and supervisors, and avoid overextending your workday. Create Physical Boundaries: Designate a dedicated workspace at home if you work remotely. Separating your work area from your living space can help maintain a sense of balance and delineate between work and personal life.