What do you do if your personal life is being overshadowed by professional commitments as a Research Manager?

1 Assess your situation

The first step is to evaluate your current situation and identify the sources of stress, conflict, and imbalance in your work and life. You can use a tool like the Wheel of Life to rate different areas of your life, such as health, family, hobbies, finances, and career. This will help you see where you are satisfied and where you need improvement. You can also track your time and activities for a week or two to get a realistic picture of how you spend your days and where you can make changes.

3 Prioritize and delegate

The third step is to prioritize and delegate your tasks according to their importance and urgency. You can use a tool like the Eisenhower Matrix to sort your tasks into four categories: do, decide, delegate, and delete. This will help you focus on the most critical and valuable tasks and avoid wasting time on trivial or irrelevant ones. You should also delegate tasks that can be done by others, such as administrative, technical, or operational tasks. This will free up your time and reduce your workload.

4 Plan and schedule

The fourth step is to plan and schedule your tasks and activities in advance and stick to your plan as much as possible. You can use a tool like a calendar, planner, or app to organize your daily, weekly, and monthly agenda and set reminders and deadlines. You should also allocate time for your personal life, such as family, friends, hobbies, exercise, and relaxation. You can treat these as appointments that you cannot miss or reschedule. This will help you create a routine and balance your work and life.

5 Review and adjust

The fifth step is to review and adjust your plan and goals regularly and make changes as needed. You can use a tool like a journal, feedback, or survey to reflect on your progress, achievements, challenges, and learnings. You should also celebrate your successes and reward yourself for your efforts. You should also be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and unexpected events. You should also seek support and advice from your peers, mentors, or coaches if you face difficulties or need guidance.

6 Maintain your well-being

The final step is to maintain your well-being and prevent burnout and stress. You can do this by taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. You can practice healthy habits, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. You can also practice mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, or other techniques to cope with negative emotions and thoughts. You can also seek professional help if you experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?