Having a Work/Life Balance
In a time when the world is at our fingertips, having a work-life balance has never been so important. We can be reached virtually anywhere, anytime. Social media is constantly updating us on the world and emails get sent directly to our phones. Did I mention texting? Tweeting? Facebook messaging? Calling? Snapchatting?
Being connected is especially important for PR professionals. While for some workaholics it is great, for those of us who have other priorities, this expectation can make us feel inadequate. Somehow, if we don’t answer emails at 9:00pm or on Sundays we are seen as “not dedicated” or “a slacker.”
I wholeheartedly disagree. Personally, I have commitments outside of work such as my husband and family that do take precedence over work—and they always will. Just because I don’t make my work my life, doesn’t mean I perform poorly in my job. In fact, I think having a good work-life balance makes me a better worker! If I don’t have personal time, I get burned out fast and that isn’t good for me or my company. Having time away from technology refreshes my creativity and allows me to spend time with things that matter. A company that values that for me, has my loyalty which is hard to come by these days.
Luckily, through several informational interviews, I’ve found some tips for those of us who want a healthy work-life balance.
Tips for Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
1. Ask about work-life balance in your interview! If you don’t know the culture of an organization before you interview, ask. This way, you are fully prepared for the expectations of the organization and you will be able to see how you fit. If they expect you to be available nights and weekends, maybe the job isn’t right for you.
2. Don’t set an expectation early! The moment you answer that email at 11:00pm you will have set a precedence for being available at that time. You establish your own boundaries, so stick to them!
3. Work hard! This may seem self-explanatory, but so many hours are wasted while in the office. If you work hard and push through the day to get everything done, that’s less an organization can expect you to do outside of the normal work hours.
Most importantly remember that sacrificing your family and your wellbeing for a job is never worth it. There is hope. Our generation is a generation that is pushing for a greater work-life balance. Someday, having this balance could be expected. There are organizations out there that believe in work-life balances, you just have to find them!
Michelle is a senior at Grand Valley State University (woo-hoo!) majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Management. She currently works as an Assistant Lab Manager/Professional Tutor at Grand Rapids Community College and has a passion for higher education. She hopes to find a job in beautiful Grand Rapids working in higher education or another type of learning institution. Michelle loves traveling with her husband, singing, reading teen-fiction, and winning at board and card games.