#work-life

“You really have to be cognizant of those boundaries between professional life and personal life.”

-Dan Levy, Paste Magazine

https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/schitt-s-creek/schitts-creeks-daniel-levy-on-sex-money-and-being/

Photo: Brad Torchia

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This is a little out of context- it was originally in response to a question about working with family on Schitt’s Creek, but I think it’s solid advice in general. 

Two-fifths of UK employees said they checked their emails outside of working hours at least five times a day.

What can you do to stop thinking about work when the work day is over? 1. Writing a list of tasks you need to do the next day is a good way to mark the end of a working day.

2. Setting clear boundaries can help stop emails and messages from taking over your downtime.. try disabling notifications.

3. Activities from cooking to art classes, jogging, or a book group can be the perfect way to distract yourself from the stresses and strains of the working day!

What do you think? Do these  work for you, what other cool-off tactics do you use after a work day?

“A cross-generation of employees picked work-life balance as the leading example of a successful culture ...  work-life balance was the most important part of a workplace culture, followed by team-building activities, continuous learning and a collaborative environment.”

“Respondents recommended creating an inclusive and more productive culture by providing more training, flexible work options and mentorship opportunities.”

HR Drive, November 8, 2019: “Study: Work-life balance is the most important part of a successful culture,” by Valerie Bolden-Barrett

Cision, November 6, 2019: “Sixty-Two Percent of Workers Feel Work/Life Balance Is Most Important for a Company Culture That Fosters Success”

Gen Z has the worst work-life balance 

“Generation Z has singled themselves out as a generation that's already working themselves to the bone. Gen Z say they feel guilty taking any time off work, which means they don't take all their paid time off in a year ...  that taking all of their allotted vacation time would cause people to judge them at work — and they worry about this much more than any other generation at work. ... [The] most likely to say they feel under pressure to check email or voicemail while they're on holiday ... followed by millennials.”

“But it's not just Gen Z that feels the need to be ‘always on,’ making vacations less fun. Americans of all generations feel like they're hauling the office with them when they go on a much-needed vacation.”

Business Insider, November 7, 2019: “Gen Z only just started working, and they already have the worst work-life balance,” by Sheila McClear

The Purpose of Having Fun at Work and Taking Meaningful Breaks (Dave Crenshaw)

Dave Crenshaw is a Productivity and Leadership Mentor and author of the new book “The Power of Having Fun: How Meaningful Breaks Help You Get More Done.” In this chat, we talk about the purpose of having fun at work and why it’s so important to take meaningful breaks that align with your “ultradian rhythm.” He uses the metaphor of walking through a desert and needing an “oasis” so that you can re-energize yourself and stay motivated at work. We also touch on how his approach differs from the idea of “work-life balance,” and why we can still enjoy work even if we don’t have the perfect job or career.

Great books about work life and work-life balance.

Just 5 Minutes of Video Games Helps You Recover From Work-Related Stress and Fatigue

A big part of having a productive day is knowing when to take a break. A new study shows that just 5 minutes of casual gaming can improve mood and reduce work-related stress.