Balancing Life and Work Can Be Tricky

As I started getting busier and busier (which I am absolutely loving!) I was finding it a bit tricky to find a good balance between work and my personal time (including: “me-time,” friends, family, boyfriend, working out, cleaning, cooking.. blah, blah – you know the drill).

Finding a good balance between everything is something that took a lot of thought, and prioritizing, to find out where certain tasks, social events, etc would fit into my calendar.  

Staying focused (and productive!) during work hours is definitely a must so there is opportunity for more time during the evenings and weekends that can be allotted for yourself.

I still find myself getting home and working on other projects and internships (that won’t change too much anytime soon) but, I have figured out how to also spend time doing things that are important to me and with people whose company I enjoy.

When I have time, I fit in a work out, coffee break, happy hour – something – with a girlfriend. (Sometimes you just have to make the time though.) I usually find a great conversation, and the break from work, has really refreshed me too! I also try to work less on the weekends (if it is a slow week) and hang out and/or just relax with my boyfriend, family and friends.

Below are some of the ways some of my favorite PR guys and gals work on balancing their life and work. Tell me how you make sure you to keep time for the important people and things in your life!

@YazminaCabrera  I know we PRs are supposed to have our eyes open 24/7, and I only learnt to disconnect from my responsibilities after 2 years working! I tried to focus on the amazing things I had in my life -other than my job-: my family and friends, my hobbies and studying. Finding the balance, then, sort of came naturally to me!

@MBAprgirl I try to work smarter so no time is wasted. Prioritizing is key! Plus I always make time for horseback riding or the gym to refocus.

@HeyWorkingGirl I am a HUGE scheduler. For every hour of work I typically give myself 30 minutes of social time or a coffee meet-up!

@JessiicaEmm It’s all about time management! Organize your daily tasks to make outside of work activities easier to fit in your schedule.

@PRgirlConfess Waking up extra early if necessary, my planner is essential , when you’re overwhelmed it’s better to take a step back and take a breath. Take care of yourself always, prioritizing and time management is key!

@FashionPennPal Lists, lots of lists. I add things like workout, errands or silly things like coffee with a friend to a list mixed with business priorities. If I have them written down I’m more likely to take the time and remember to make time for myself.

@PiquedPR Keeping track of things in my @katespadeny agenda. If I schedule in a Zumba class, as I would a meeting, I’m more likely to go. 🙂

@Addicted_To_PR Balancing a bf job, internship and school is not easy. I try to do one thing I love each day.  

@KaraSarvey I don’t have my work email on my phone! A luxury most PR pros can’t do, I understand but I like being able to separate from work when I’m done. I also try to stick to a 40 hour work week. I work hard all day, and if I can’t get my work done in 8 hours, I need to look at my time management skills, is what I think. I’m sure this will change if/when I start working for an agency, but right now that’s how I do it! 🙂

@PRGuySy I stay balanced and making time outside of PR by being flexible and having one day of the week totally to myself. That allows me to share my time with family and friends and unwind and take the stress off. We all need a day. I try to keep an open line of communication between myself and friends. I like to take the day as it comes.

@GoodGirlPR Turn my phone and computer off once a week.

‏@LisaMariePosso Time management and scheduling! If you finish tasks on time/one by one, you’ll have more time for fun.

@heyheyman Work is work.  Just because you put work first all the time does not mean you will succeed more at it.  A healthy life and work balance is so important. You will excel at work if you make time for your personal life.  Why?  Because you will read books and blogs, watch movies and TV, listen to music and engage in conversations.  All of these things can help spark ideas or interests that you can then take into work and use to perform better. At the end of the day, we are all human beings.  As important as any job might seem, your personal life and your family should come first.  Life is too short to slave away and be consumed by your work.

@emilyvontom As a student it’s hard to find a life/work balance because I’m trying to create the career I want to have in order to have a good work/life balance. With a job, internships, school and other priorities sometimes it is just hard. But, I think the best way for me to do this is hit the gym and clear my head. Go home and just chill. When I have a clear head, I’m not focused on things at work or my internships. I need to be in a zone. When I’m with my nieces and nephews it is so much easier for me to separate life from all that other stuff because I don’t get to see them a lot and spending that time with them is precious and just helps me in so many ways.