Hello HDAA Members!? The Women In Analytics SIG will share monthly tips, quotes and other ideas about work-life balance, a topic that many of us can relate to.? If you have ideas, please share with us!?
Below are our thoughts, along with suggestions from the article “How to have a good work-life balance” in BetterUp (May 2023):?
What does work-life balance mean?? It could mean setting boundaries with your work schedule, effectively managing your time by prioritizing tasks, managing stress levels by unplugging from work-related activities and having flexibility to adjust your schedule when unforeseen circumstances occur.? If you don’t apply these practices, you will neglect your personal life and experience burnout.?
Best practices to improve work-life balance:
- Plan ahead.? Color code meetings and to-dos into categories.? This action makes it easier to review your calendar and prepare.? If possible, take meetings while you walk to get exercise.
- Take time off.? PTO is part of your compensation.? Taking time off, even if you don’t have plans, is an opportunity to reset and return to work with a fresh perspective.
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of focusing on the present with intention while slowing down your thoughts.? If you are not comfortable with meditation, try inhaling and exhaling while detaching from work.?
- End work at a certain time. Try not to have meetings close to quitting time and practice discipline to log off consistently at a specific time.? If your workload is heavy, compromise by setting a day to begin early or work late, but don’t extend beyond the commitment you made.
- Find something you love to engage in. If you don’t have a hobby, explore what you like to do and make plans to hold yourself accountable.
If you manage a team, here is how you can help:
- Set an example for your team.? Space out meetings and end meetings 5 minutes earlier; encourage your team to do the same.
- Remind your team to unplug.? Discourage staff from taking work devices on vacation.
- Educate employees on their benefits. Remind staff that sick leave and PTO are part of their compensation.? Although some employers allow staff to bank time, most PTO days are forfeited if they are not used.?
