What do you do if your work-life balance is tipping towards chaos?

One of the best things you can do is to conduct a Task/assignment audit so that you are able to evaluate what needs your attention and what can be delegated. Additionally, most tasks have deadlines so it is best to categorize them in order of priority. Go a step further and list the tasks that need to be done, the resources required and the approximate time needed to complete the tasks. Establish which tasks can be delegated to create more time as well which ones you can negotiate the delivery. Another important task is to do a time audit because it is possible that there are tasks that you are working on that are either non-essential or are taking up too much time. A time audit can help you seal the cracks of possible time stealers.

1. Reflect on what is within your control and what is outside your control 2. Take a 'zoomed out' perspective on your work/life for a moment: What is important to you? What are your priorities in your personal and professional goals? 3. Identify your top priorities. Use frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix if it helps you, or work with a coach on this process.

Your company isn't responsible for setting your boundaries. You are. Never say, "I don't have a choice". Because you have far more agency than you're giving yourself credit for. You have a choice in everything. The people that get ahead are those that know how to ruthlessly prioritize and create boundaries that help them with finding balance. They say no (or deprioritize) everything else except what's important, and what aligns to their mission.

Learn to say "no." A helpful diagram for this is "I can/cannot" and "I want to/do not want to." If you have a choice about whether to do something, only say yes when you can, and want to do it.

Set boundaries and ensure they are clear to you and others. In order for boundaries to work, you must first honor them for others to see you are actually respect your personal vs professional boundaries. It is important to also have a list of the 3-5 most important tasks you must work on each day and once those are done, you need to know where to draw the line and stop or move to the next order of activities. Be intentional about having other activities that you pursue outside of your work life in addition to making time for them. This way you develop the discipline of knowing when it is time to get the professional things done and when it is time for your personal activities such as hobbies, family and the like. Its a constant practice.

Most of us find it difficult to delegate because of "unconscious perfectionism tendencies". We have this notion that nobody else can do the job like we do it. It is important to embrace the fact that everyone has a different style of getting the job done. The need to hold on to everything can quickly create overwhelm which then invites procrastination. Delegating is about asking others to help you get the job done but the responsibility remains with you. It is also an opportunity for others to learn from you and grow their skill. When delegating, establish that the instructions are clear with the other party. You can then focus on high priority/core tasks that speak to your expertise but as well give you ample time to deliver.

When your work-life balance starts tipping towards chaos, the first thing I would advise is taking a step back and reassessing your priorities. Begin by setting boundaries between work and personal time, making sure you carve out dedicated periods for relaxation, hobbies & and time with loved ones. Now would be a good time to start prioritizing tasks, delegating when possible, and learning to say NO to additional commitments that can overwhelm your schedule.

I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is to not feel guilty or trapped into feeling guilty for wanting some self-care. Self-care doesn't have to be anything elaborate, requires special arrangements or cost money. It can be something as simple as sitting down to watch a whole movie uninterrupted or staying in and switching off from any form of communication for a few hours. Ultimately, the goal is to feel that you are still in-charge of your being - mind, body and soul. And that is just as important as other basic needs like eating, drinking and sleeping.

If self-care is not a part of your regular routine yet, take the opportunity to discover what self-care activities are fun to you. Ultimately, to do this sustainably, you'll need to find an activity or challenge you enjoy, as well as a rhythm that suits you. Start small with tiny habits and build from there.

I am continuously practicing to be assertive with integrity and love. Being very self aware with my decisions of what tasks or activities I really love and which I no longer need in order to develop and grow in the direction I've chosen. This changes depending on our phase of development. A phrase I use internally and sometimes even speak out loud to people is: "That commitment served me in the past and contributed to the good of all, and now I am choosing something different, that's all." I am a masterpiece in progress. People treat you with respect when you are clear and in your integrity.

Have realistic expectations about what work-life balance looks like. Sometimes we create pressure pursuing an unrealistic goal. Work-life balance isn’t about splitting time and energy evenly between work and home, nor expecting constant smooth sailing in your life. It's about handling responsibilities in a way that more often than not keeps you grounded, accepting occasional stumbles, and working to regain equilibrium when needed. One way to begin finding steadiness when feeling chaotic is identifying one small area you can bring into balance relatively quickly, focusing on what feels restorative for you. This gentle approach allows the nervous system to recalibrate and lays the foundation for continued manageable, sustained changes.