Work-Life-Balance_Tipsheet

Melea Reicks Licht                                                                    Elaine Edwards

Iowa State University                                                                 Kansas State University

mreicks@iastate.edu                                                                  elainee@ksu.edu 

Key Concepts:

·      We’re All in this Together

·      Communication is Key

·      Recognize When You are Out of Balance

·      Organization Will Set You Free

·      Adjust the Sails

·      Know Where you Want to Go

Tips:

Family Time

·      Schedule family fun as you would a business meeting

o   Can be general to allow for flexibility within

o   Make it routine

o   Be accountable to your family as you would your boss/coworkers

o   Eat dinner together as often as possible 

o   Include family time and a date night

·      Technology can help with family communication (skype, mobile, facebook)

Health

·      The best time of day to workout is the time that works for you

·      Put on workout clothes first thing in the morning or when you get home

·      Exercise should be fun – try different activities until you find one you like

·      Play together as a family or with friends – walks, bike rides, Wii, etc…

·      Request (or give) your department 30 minutes off each day for exercise

·      Offer wellness-related activities in your department

·      Avoid take-out, plan ahead to make it possible to cook at home

o   Menu Plan – do your own or check out an online service, examples:

§  http://www.e-mealz.com/

§  http://www.relishrelish.com/

o   Prep on the weekend or evening before

o   Freeze entire meals or meal kits

o   Whoever is home first can start cooking (older kids included)

o   Share dinners with friends, take turns cooking

Civic Organizations

·      Be familiar with organizations’ meeting schedule, attendance policy, etc… before becoming a member

·      Serving as an officer – keep in mind you have future years to serve

o   Ask a lot of questions about responsibilities before agree to serve – much of the work goes on behind the scenes

·      Limit each family member to one plus one you can do together as a family

Tips:

Work

·      Check e-mail periodically instead of leaving it open all day

·      Schedule in actual “work” time so you’re not overscheduled with meetings

·      Align your to-do list with office priorities.  If you feel overwhelmed and need help prioritizing ask your supervisor.    

·      In addition to a “to-do” list keep a “done” list. It will serve as a record for phone calls, meetings, etc. and it will show how you are actually spending your time.

·      Delegate appropriately.  Let your colleagues, assistants and hourly workers or students help. 

·      Communicate regularly with your boss.

Play

·      Take time for R and R:

o   Reading

o   Movies

o   Art classes

o   Dance classes

o   Home and garden projects

o   Travel

o   Shopping

·      Make time for friends

o   Social get-togethers

o   Picnics

o   Bowling league

o   Evening out

o   Vacations

o   Exercise