The business world is fast-paced, and regardless of the industry you work in, finding a balance between work and play can be difficult. It is, however, crucial if you are to remain happy and able to thrive in both your professional and personal life. To help you achieve mindfulness in business, here are five tips for finding balance while achieving success.
Be Flexible With Your Workplace Surroundings
Mixing and matching serviced offices, a home office, coffee shops, and hot desking means that you can move seamlessly between your professional and business self. You can even tailor your own virtual office package, maintaining all the benefits of a physical office without the restrictions it can bring.
Ask this one key question
“If it all ended now, what would I wish I had done?”
This is a great question to ask if you’re wondering how balanced your career is with your personal life. Are you missing important people’s birthdays and other life events? On the flip side, are you finding you miss out on work opportunities because you’re spending a lot of time socializing? Thinking this way helps keep your feet on the ground, reminding you of what’s important so you can stop facing endless regrets.
Don’t Burn Out
Only 21% of entrepreneurs take any time off work, despite struggling with mental health challenges. This statistic becomes particularly troubling when combined with the fact that around 92% of entrepreneurs have reported suffering from mental health challenges over the last two years.
Entrepreneurs are prone to neglecting sleep, social time, healthy eating, and exercise habits. As tempting as it can be to sacrifice your entire being to be successful, it will be to the detriment of your future. Burnout can cause a person to be unwell for months (if not years) and can be a career-ender in its most extreme form. By contrast, putting time into caring for yourself will bring you better balance and an increased ability to thrive in your career.
Practice Mindful Time Management
Good time management is not only essential to a successful career but also to maintaining a good work/life balance. Something as simple as a calendar that lists work and personal meetings and events can give you a clear visual representation of which areas are being neglected.
You can also boost the quality of the time spent in both areas by blocking out correspondence that is irrelevant at that time. When you’re with loved ones, turn off those work notifications and resist the urge to check your emails. When you’re at work, stay off social media and save WhatsApp message replies until your break time. Efficient time management is essential to finding balance and mindfulness in business.
Get More Time in Nature
Meditation is great if you can master it, but it can be difficult, especially for entrepreneurs with busy minds. As an easy alternative, time in nature can take your mind away from all your troubles and help you feel better without much effort required.
Studies tell us that nature can lower blood pressure, decrease stress levels, alleviate nervous system arousal, and reduce the suffering caused by mental health challenges. It can also increase self-esteem, boost your mood, and improve your immune system. Whether it’s a walk around a local park or ten minutes spent looking out to sea, time in nature can help you achieve better physical and mental balance.
Achieve your ultimate state of zen by integrating the mindful tips above. Doing so should help you balance your life for a healthy mind and body and a flourishing career.
