What do you do if your time management skills are hindering your work-life balance?

Begin by honestly evaluating your current time management practices and identifying areas where improvements are needed. Acknowledge any habits or behaviors contributing to the imbalance between work and personal life. Reflect on how you allocate your time each day, noting any patterns of procrastination, multitasking, or overcommitment that may be causing stress or inefficiency.

Sometimes it's important to ask yourself if you are trying to 'please people'. A lot of time is lost when we shift focus from our deliverables to just trying to keep other happy. Another area important time related aspect to consider is the number of interruptions we have during the course of doing a task. Interruptions like notifications, phone calls, messages, emails, people stopping by etc. This is something a lot of people don't realize.

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent work from encroaching on your personal time. Define specific hours for work-related activities and prioritize leisure activities, hobbies, and relaxation to recharge. Communicate your availability to colleagues and clients, set designated "off" hours for emails and calls, and refrain from checking work-related messages outside of designated times.

Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency, focusing on high-value activities that align with your goals and values. Use techniques such as the Eisenhower Matrix or ABC prioritization to categorize tasks effectively. Identify tasks that contribute the most to your long-term success and well-being, such as strategic projects, personal development activities, or quality time with loved ones, and prioritize them accordingly.

Being able to achieve a work-life balance could be an everyday war because no day is alike. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize tasks as and when they occur and not just relying on a fixed schedule always. Be willing and open to uncertainties. Yes, there will be times when time management will be an absolute headache, remember time can be compensated later on.

Practice meditation and mindfulness. Avoid multitasking. The book - The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh is a good place to start.

Find ways to de-stress. Whatever helps you....walking, running, a hobby, a pet, watching comedy or a movie or a play. Something which will help you shift focus and when you return you look at your schedule with a fresh perspective.