What do you do if your work-life balance as an executive is suffering and you need help?

I've always resonated with the lessons from "The Power of Full Engagement," which teaches that managing energy—not just time—is key to high performance. If you're an executive feeling overwhelmed between work and life, evaluate how you're fueling your body and mind. Are you neglecting the essentials like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and time with loved ones? Neglecting these things can leave you depleted, reducing your output even as you log more hours. Acknowledge where you might be off balance and take steps to realign. It's not just about working smarter; it's about living smarter to enhance your effectiveness and satisfaction. What steps do you take to ensure you're fully charged and ready for the challenges of leadership?

Create a Strong Routine: Improve productivity by setting a clear schedule and deadlines. Just like planning a game night with friends, structure helps manage time and thoughts effectively! Recognize Stress Triggers: Identify what's causing excessive pressure. Is it the pursuit of success? Take a step back, prioritize, and relax. You're in charge! Pursue Happiness, Not Just Objectives: List activities that genuinely bring joy. More time skating? Quality family moments? Incorporate these pleasures daily for a brighter life!

Try this reflection exercise: 1. List your top five values. 2. List your top five priorities. Are your priorities aligned with your values? 3. List how you spend your time. Is your time aligned with your priorities? If not, what adjustments do you need to make? Who do you need to tell? What can you eliminate, delegate, or outsource? Focus on what aligns with your priorities and values and which only you can do.

To honestly assess your work-life balance, regularly track how you allocate your time across work, family, personal interests, and rest, ideally over a period of several weeks. Reflect on whether this distribution aligns with your personal values and goals, paying attention to feelings of stress or satisfaction as indicators of balance or imbalance. Additionally, seek feedback from family and close friends about how they perceive your work-life integration.

The first thing is to define what exactly "balance" means to you. As an executive, it is an unrealistic expectation to only work 8 hours a day. So many people rely on you for decisions, guidance, and support that you are likely spending a lot of time helping others or sitting in meetings. However, that does not mean that you need to be "on" all of the time. Granted, it's hard to unplug and leave work behind. But sometimes, that's what is needed. So, figure out where you are indispensable and the only one who can make certain decisions. That's where your focus should be. Delegate the other stuff or put it on the side burner. Find the happy medium and remember that work is like laundry: it gets done, but it's never finished.

Let's start by reframing "work life balance". Unfortunately, this is a term that is thrown around and then executives feel a sense of emptiness, are not sure why, so they believe and label it "work life balance". None of us have "work life balance'. We not call it "sleep life balance". You spend 8 hours a day sleeping meaning you have no life or balance because you are lying in bed. The fact is work is part of life. Like it or not you cannot spend 8 hours day at work and 8 hours a day playing and then 8 hours a day sleeping. It sounds balanced, but it is not realistic. The key is to reframe your idea of work. Because all of it is life. Chances are you need a change of jobs or careers, not the idea of the myth of balance.

Easier said than done, if you qualify as a perfectionist and a workaholic I wish you all the strength and resilience because you will need them You will never be detached from work nor home 100% all the time, that simply means you are a robot if you succeed to do so STOP once in a while for a reality check.

People who are good at setting boundaries establish clear limits by decisively communicating their availability and non-negotiable personal commitments to colleagues and loved ones. They regularly revisit and adjust these boundaries to ensure they continue to support their well-being and professional goals, keeping them balanced and fulfilled.

TIP - Think in terms of work/life integration instead of work/life balance. It's about making conscious decisions and having the discipline to follow through on the agreements you've made with yourself and those around you. When you integrate work and life, it's not just about setting boundaries, but rather about creating a cohesive lifestyle that supports your professional and personal goals. This approach fosters better alignment and fulfillment, as you consciously choose when to focus on work and when to prioritize personal time.

totally agree with Hagop notes. Nottingham only top executives but also as middle managers we tend to easily fall on this traps, not easy to perfect on it. I think starting point is to understand the limitations on self as well others. Where possible, set clear objectives and boundaries and advocate for collaborative work environments. It’s all about team work, sharing responsibilities and being accountable for shared outcomes One can only add value at his/her best when managing WLB that sometimes unfortunately comes at the cost of being able to say no at times with proper delegation and follow up. Is it easy, absolutely not, possible, yes when there is the right working environment.

I never go to bed or start the day, not knowing what I need to do and what is most important with the greatest impact. This requires having a vision for yourself, a plan with objectives and outcomes and understand how each of your habits and actions contribute to progress, not movement. Movement can make you busy, but you are not progressing or being productive. Now you are spending energy that is not directed towards a specific outcome or goal, that feels and is meaningful to you - and thus you may feel more depleted as a result.

As an executive, you are adept at managing many responsibilities simultaneously. However, it is crucial to assess the urgency of these tasks effectively. By differentiating between tasks that require immediate attention/priority and those that can be deferred, you enhance your effectiveness in prioritizing responsibilities. Delegation, when feasible, not only liberates valuable time but also diminishes stress levels. Effectively prioritizing tasks will augment your professional performance and allow for more personal time and relaxation opportunities.

While you can write down the major tasks and prioritize them, for instance using something like the Eisenhower matrix. The major ones should be on the top of your head, the ones with biggest impact, both in life and in work respectively.

What I have found helpful was to get as organized as possible. Keeping email correspondence to a minimum, short and responsive with a hierarchy of what’s urgent on down, with focus on deadlines or projects. Only touch paper once. Do the thing and complete it then move on. Work in spurts, dedicate time to a task,then take a break before the next spurt. Make your planner/calendar, your friend. Schedule your free time, self care and morning routine into your day. Make rest and sleep a priority to be more productive and focused each day.

Avoid being busy for the sake of it. Get very clear on what adds impact in your role and what does not. Then, be ruthless, discarding the tasks that are not so important. Using the 80/20 Pareto rule can be very helpful. Focusing on the 20% of tasks that really count will liberate time and energy to dedicate to recovery (which includes adjusting that "work-life balance"). This exercise is more one of elimination rather than simple prioritization. The important thing is not to dedicate time to unimportant tasks - by discarding them completely where possible.

I encourage you to consider professional support if you are facing challenges in achieving a sustainable work-life balance. Engaging with an executive coach who is experienced in helping leaders effectively juggle their professional responsibilities and personal well-being may be beneficial. Such coaches provide valuable strategies, insights, and accountability that can facilitate meaningful improvements in your work-life integration. It is essential to recognize that seeking assistance reflects strength and proactive leadership.

When you've set priorities and boundaries, you still have to develop the new habits if you intend to meet your balance goals. You can go to a therapist, pastor, or group. Or you can choose an executive coach. That coach is your "thinking partner", an objective resource to help you to plan, take action, and be accountable to yourself for activities that move you toward your goals. Your family and friends offer support that is valuable because it is about your desires for them and their involvement with you, the group of you. A good coach helps you look at what's important to you, your gifts, and where you want to use them effectively. The coach continually helps you focus on the balance you want to achieve, and actually make it happen.

When facing challenges with work-life balance, don't hesitate to seek support. Consider consulting a professional executive coach who can assist leaders in managing their responsibilities alongside personal well-being. A coach can provide strategies, fresh perspectives, and accountability, helping you make effective changes to enhance your work-life balance. Remember, seeking help is a testament to your strength and commitment to your well-being, not a weakness.

Often what's happening at home can have an impact on your work life. I see so many professionals struggling because they have a child who is struggling with sleep. You are an educated professional who can manage people and tasks all day long, so why can't you help your child with sleep? It's not your expertise. If machinery is broken in your organisation you bring in an engineer to fix it. Computer system, and IT specialist. So why not for your home life? - Look within your organisation to your Well Being team for any support available internally. - Look to your GP or health provider for support or signposting. - Look in family directories for specialists in your area. In reaching out for support you are much more likely to succeed.

If you've assessed reality, set boundaries, and prioritized tasks but still haven't achieved work-life balance, seek support. An executive coach can help you: - dive deeper & excavate your obstacles - offer innovative insights - develop tailored strategies. Your coach will provide: - perspective, guidance, and accountability - identify blind spots - break unproductive patterns - establish healthier habits. And, your coach will be your number 1 cheerleader, celebrating progress and keeping you motivated through setbacks. They'll remind you that every small victory brings you closer to your goal. Asking for help isn't weakness - it's a hallmark of strong leadership. It takes courage to admit you can't do it all alone. Invest in yourself.

Adopting a growth mindset is crucial for enhancing work-life balance. The corporate landscape is inherently dynamic, making rigid schedules frequently incompatible with the realities of executive responsibilities. It is essential to be prepared to adapt your plans as necessary and let you know that some days may require a greater focus on professional obligations. In contrast, others may afford more time for personal pursuits. Flexibility enables you to effectively manage varying demands without compromising your overall equilibrium.

Embrace flexibility by defining success at the start of every day and every week. ? Before starting the day, ask yourself ‘what would success today look like’. List a small number of significant successes or ‘wins’ and embrace the flexibility this affords. As long as these things are completed today, you can consider the day a win. Not only is this a realistic approach to often hectic corporate life; but in addition, eases the strain of the very rigid ‘perfectionist’ mindset high performers often place on themselves.

Entrepreneuers need to be like a lion. I will tell you how. Like a lion put all your energy in, work hard, sprint and go for the kill when needed without worrying about time management. After the kill you can chill , just like lions do- take that time off, or focus back on maintainence tasks, planning, delegating, taking care of all that you missed. The gift of entrepreneurship is freedom to respond to ever changing situations, market insights & to focus on what you need to in any moment plus the freedom to take time off as needed. Have a few non negotiables in life- health, family, spirituality - after that?be?like?a?lion.

In a world that's constantly shifting beneath your feet, rigidity is your enemy. Clinging to old ways, old patterns, will only hold you back. It's time to adapt, to bend without breaking. Embrace the power of flexibility. Be open to new approaches, new perspectives. Learn to pivot when necessary, to find opportunity in the unexpected. This is how you'll not just survive but thrive. ?A First step is: Identify one area where you can introduce more flexibility into your work or life.

The nature of executive roles often demands a certain degree of flexibility. Embracing this as part of your leadership style can allow you to better handle unexpected demands without compromising your personal time. This might include being open to shifting deadlines when possible or adopting new technologies or processes that streamline your work.

Recharging regularly is critical to preventing burnout. Evaluating how you spend your time away from work gives you insight into what refreshes you and what drains you. Your work is one role in your life, make sure that you are paying attention to your roles outside of work. At some stage of your career and life, you will shed a particular work role. It is important to your overall wellbeing that you have developed other aspects of your life

A common trend among my clients is a lack of joy. Using a car metaphor, it is like driving in rugged terrain with low tire pressure. Your engine gets overheated and eventually burns out. I use this 3C model to help busy executives cultivate resilience. 1. Care - Take care of your emotional and physical health. 2. Connect—Connect regularly with your core values. It could be through meaningful social connections, purpose-driven work, spiritual practice, or a hobby. 3. Create—Use creative ways to recharge and renew. Find what gives you joy in everyday situations. Maybe connect with your co-workers personally or go for a short walk outside during your lunch break. Such small, intentional acts go a long way and make our lives more enjoyable.

1. Focus on your well being. Many people tend to focus on their busy work life instead of their personal priorities. 2. Set a realistic schedule. Ideally you would probably spend about eight hours at work each day. 3. Know your values. Try to spend sometime thinking about what's important to you in life. 4. Practice time management.

I can attest to the importance of recharging regularly. It's not just about avoiding burnout; it's about maintaining the capacity for innovation and servant leadership that drives growth. Executives who prioritize their well-being can approach challenges with curiosity and humor, leading to more effective decision-making and a more passionate engagement with their work and teams.

Think harmony rather than balance. There are times you have to sprint at home and at work. Taking an annual look at how you build your relationships and your security over the course of a year or two can provide great perspective. You’ll want to set an inspiring desired outcome that encompasses both so when times are hard you have built in times for rest. Knowing that you can play catch up on the most important things like your health and the most important relationships in your life will help you lock those things into your calendar so you never neglect them for more than a week or two. You may be able to have it all, just not all at once.

In my experience, if work-life balance as an executive is suffering, it’s vital to strategically manage your energy, not just your time. Tony Schwartz, in "The Way We're Working Isn't Working," stresses the importance of renewing one's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy. Schwartz advocates for incorporating regular, scheduled breaks to rejuvenate, alongside prioritizing tasks that align with one’s personal and professional values. This approach helps maintain high performance without compromising personal well-being. By managing energy holistically, executives can sustain their productivity and enthusiasm at work while still enjoying a fulfilling personal life, thus achieving a more effective and satisfying balance.

Be kind to yourself. Different stages of life have different priorities. I leave you with a quote from the 5 balls of life speech by Coca-Cola’s former CEO Brian Dyson (1986-1991): […] Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them work, family, health, friends and spirit. And you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life

1. Self-Assessment: Reflect on current priorities and identify areas causing imbalance. 2. Delegate Strategically: Delegate tasks that can be handled by others, allowing more time for essential activities. 3. Time Management: Implement effective time management techniques to prioritize tasks and allocate time for personal activities. 4. Seek Support: Engage a coach or mentor to provide guidance and accountability. 5. Boundary Setting: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to protect personal time and well-being.