For the working population, the topic of work-life balance seems to come up in conversation more often than not in these modern times, where both household partners are employed full-time.
In many cases, maintaining a healthy life balance means not being confined to a 9 to 5 time table or an inflexible schedule. The good news is that the kind of rigidity that workers have witnessed in the past is starting to take a backseat to a more modern and flexible approach to today’s office environment.
Perhaps more employers are taking note of the numerous studies that have found desired “balance” makes individuals happier, freer, and more productive. Whatever the case for change, work-life balance is a necessary component to an individual’s overall health and well-roundedness.
Children’s Education Funds Inc. (CEFI), a provider of Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) in Canada, realizes the importance of achieving balance in the workplace. CEFI offers its busy employees the option for flexible schedules in a number of the positions the company offers, including its CEFI Dealing Representative position which we will explore further later on.
Children’s Education Funds reviews some of the top advice for achieving and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Assess your own needs
Not everyone has the same definition of work/life balance. For some, it may mean being able to skip lunch and leave the office earlier; for others, it may mean taking advantage of work-from-home privileges. Here, balance is less about dividing the hours in your day between work and personal life and more about having the flexibility to get things done in your professional life while still having time to enjoy your personal life. Regardless of how you organize your time, it should fit your own specific lifestyle.
Love your career
Half the battle of achieving your perfect balance is finding a job you truly enjoy waking up for every day. Afterall, work isn’t just a way to make money; it should also fulfill you in an emotional capacity. If you hate what you do, you probably aren’t going to be happy, plain and simple. For the best work-life balance, it’s best to find a job that you are so happy about you would do it regardless of the pay.
Choose a career with built-in flexibility
The perks of running your own business is that you determine what schedule works best for your lifestyle. Case in point, a career as a CEFI Dealing Representative has the opportunity for flexibility built right into the job description. You can set your own goals, work hours that meet your schedule requirements and develop your own clients and book of business with access to the full support and resources from the CEFI head office.
A career as a CEFI Dealing Representative can also be rewarding as it helps young people and their families realize their dreams of achieving a higher education through Registered Education Savings Plans.
Set boundaries
To avoid burnout, Children’s Education Funds reviews how to set boundaries for yourself and your colleagues. Again, this can mean different ideas to different people. One example of setting boundaries is to turn off your phone and avoid checking work emails when you leave the office. Consider having a separate computer or phone for work, and don’t give out your personal cell phone number for work-related issues. Additionally, set specific work hours.
Career expert Chris Chancey suggests, “Whether you work away from home or at home, it is important to determine when you will work and when you will stop working; otherwise, you might find yourself answering work-related emails late at night, during vacations or on weekends off.”
Ultimately, employees who are happy are more productive, both at work and at home. Moreover, an employee who is loyal and engaged means a huge return for the business.
Author:
Sasha Douglass
