The 8 Work-Life Balance Mistakes You Will Make Today

Most adults on planet Earth remain highly unsatisfied with what they are doing with their life. On the other hand, being a Counselor consistently ranks at the top when it comes to the list of most satisfying jobs. Pat yourself on the back for discovering a career that you're passionate about. Yet, few people know the bane of Counseling: Work-Life Balance.

Many different forces conspire to throw us off balance: the number of students you work with is increasing, you're being loaded by more work each day, students and parents constantly going back and forth despite your clear guidance, people expecting you to work beyond office hours.

And above all else: every issue is an emergency, and the family needs you to attend to it on an urgent basis. Makes you wonder: are we counselors or firefighters? Overworked, and underpaid?

Are you making these 7 fatal work-life balance flaws? Read on and discover the changes you must make to your lifestyle.

Boundaries, please

Have you given people 24x7 access to you? Do you not have a separate personal phone? Do you have to take their calls late in the evening, or reply to that Whatsapp at odd hours? Create specific boundaries in time, space, and in your mind about when you are working, and when you are not.

Strict Deadlines

Are your students not adhering to your strict deadlines? Are they submitting their essays to you on October 30th for the ED application to Columbia University, and expecting you to rush and give feedback within the hour? Re-think your yearly calendar, and enforce it strictly. Communicate your deadlines early to parents, and send constant reminders in the run-up to these deadlines. Remind people that working last minute is likely going to lead to failure.

Say No

People will always make outrageous demands, and as a Counselor, it is your nature to want to help others. Yet, you don't want to take the proverbial monkey on your back. Learn to quickly identify when you are taking on other people's responsibilities, and nip it in the bud. Kill them with a smile, as you say “No, Thank you, unfortunately, it will not be possible for me to do this".

Use Technology & Delegate

Communication has become a lot easier over the past decade. All kinds of apps, software, and websites can help you do a better job. Think of Cialfo, Google Calendar, Calendly, and Zoom, amongst others. Use technology as much as possible to plan, delegate and organize your life.

We just want to meet once

So much of our work is emotional in nature. The real thing can hardly take time to work through. It's the emotional baggage and confidence building, and motivating the kid, that takes it toll. Requesting that there be a listed agenda before every meeting can help you become more ready for the meeting, and be efficient at delivering what's expected.

Prioritize Your Health

Do something to stay fit and healthy every day. At work, you're sitting in a chair all day and talking to people nonstop. Take a 'Maun Vrat' for a certain part of your day. Get up and walk every few hours. Set up alarms on your phone to remind you to stretch. Keep drinking lots of water. Switch off the screen. Listen more, and speak less to conserve energy.

Find happiness in the little things

Look for small wins. Try to allow for 'minor balancing acts' every day. Take the stairs. While taking 15 minutes here or there might seem impossible to do, in reality, it will have very little impact on your outputs (likely, people won't even notice you've taken the time). Recharge: a small break can go a long way.

Creating a harmonious work-life balance will not only help you to become a fuller, healthier, happier human, but it will likely lead to greater job satisfaction and, perhaps unexpectedly, more professional success.

The Million Dollar Question: Which of these will you implement before Aiyyo's next issue?