School Holidays Got You Dreading Work-Life Chaos? Try Work-Life Flow Instead!

School holidays! While it's a time for children to relax and have fun, as a working parent, it can often feel like a recipe for work-life chaos. Juggling work deadlines while keeping the kids entertained can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and yearning for a break yourself.

But what if there was a better way? What if you could actually enjoy this time with your family without sacrificing your productivity?

Introducing the concept of Work-Life Flow. It's about achieving balance and experiencing joy in both your work and family life.

In this article, I'm going to share a method that works for me. This method transformed how I navigate school holidays. We'll explore the power of Work-Life Flow and discover how you can use it to thrive during this time, not just survive. Read on to find out my strategy.

The Key to a Harmonious and Fulfilling Work and Family Life

As a working parent, it's difficult to balance work and family responsibilities, during school holidays even with flexible working hours. To maintain some semblance of harmony between my work and family commitments, I've found you need more than a schedule you need a sensible strategy.

For me, the key to a harmonious and fulfilling work and family life lies in being intentional about how I structure my day. I know I'm most productive in the mornings and need exercise to feel my best, so I wake up an hour before my family to fit in a workout. I then prepare breakfast for my kids and focus on my work for the next four hours while they play. After lunch, we enjoy afternoon activities together. Once they're in bed, I may work a few more hours or spend time with my partner. I especially have to be intentional about spending time with my husband, as it's easier to take self-sufficient adults for granted.? I call this strategy work-life flow.

So if you're a working parent who’s been struggling to achieve work-life balance,-STOP because there's a better approach. Instead of striving for balance. aim for work-life flow.

What is Work-Life Flow??

Work-life flow is the experience of joy in BEING with the people who matter most and DOING what matters most to us. It's about enjoying the experience of life, living in the moment, and feeling joy as we navigate our ever-changing lives.

The 8 Principles of Work-Life Flow

?I've discovered that by incorporating the 8 principles of work-life flow into my routine, I can work productively while still enjoying quality time with my children.

Here are the 8 principles I follow to unlock the power of work-life flow:

1. Set clear daily goals: Plan each day in advance, including both work tasks and family activities.
2. Monitor progress and provide feedback: Adjust your approach throughout the day to stay on track with your goals. Ask your family for help to keep you in check when your work is eating into family time.
3. Engage in challenging yet enjoyable activities: Find creative ways to keep your children entertained while accomplishing your work.
4. Focus on the task: Remove distractions to work efficiently and have more time with your children.
5. Immerse yourself in each activity: Let go of worries about work or home responsibilities, and focus on the present moment.
6. Maintain control over your life and actions: Make decisions that benefit your work and family life, and clearly communicate your needs to your family.
7. Let go of self-consciousness: Don't worry about others' opinions of your work or parenting abilities; focus on doing your best and enjoying time with your family.
8. Adapt to your experience of time: When you're in the present moment, and your mind isn't preoccupied with unrelated thoughts, you'll find you have enough time and enjoy it. Time becomes your ally, and you don't feel rushed. Embrace the understanding that some days will be more challenging than others, and use the other seven principles to transform your experience.

Incorporating these 8 principles has enabled me to unlock the power of work-life flow, leading to a more harmonious and fulfilling life. By setting clear goals, monitoring progress, engaging in enjoyable activities, focusing on the present moment, maintaining control, letting go of self-consciousness, and adapting to my experience of time, I've found a way to work productively and spend quality time with my children during school holidays.

I'd love to hear about your experiences! Please share in the comments how you've managed to harmonise your work and family life during holidays or any strategies you've found helpful. We can learn from each other and create a supportive community of working parents.

Let's redefine leadership success as healthy and happy!

Dr. Masi

Founder & CEO, HERSELF HEALTH | Burnout Prevention & Executive Health Coach | Specialising in Corporate Health & Well-Being for Leaders & Their Teams

Disclaimer: The content in this newsletter and related LinkedIn posts is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Views expressed are those of Dr. Masi Njawaya and Herself Health and not any official organisation. Consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice. Use this information at your own risk.