Maintaining the perfect balance between professional and personal life has always been challenging for career-driven individuals.
Aspiring to climb the corporate ladder whilst chasing deadlines and simultaneously giving quality time to your family feels like a never-ending marathon. Eventually, the stress levels take a toll and accomplishing work-life balance then seems like a distant dream.
A high-salaried job has become vital for both men and women in our fast-paced society where prices and the desire to have a better quality of life have become a priority. It is however equally important to have a meaningful private life outside the corporate walls.
Failing to reach a satisfactory work-life balance can also be damaging to one’s mental and physical health.
Work-Life Balance Is Even Tougher for Women
Many women in Pakistan contribute to the family income. With better education and opportunities they also want success in the corporate world. Taking care of their family and household never ceases to be of significance and many women need to manage both aspects successfully.
What’s more, they have to manage domestic responsibilities as well and have a larger societal impact. According to the McKinsey Global Institute:
Working women in South Asia spend up to 5 times more hours per month in unpaid domestic labor as men. But they balance a formal career alongside their husbands, children, and in-laws.
It is also important to note that compared to men, Pakistani women have fewer hours to tend to their wellness. Many cannot even afford to take leaves due to wage loss and may not have enough money to hire house help. The situation gets worse with limited (if any) access to quality healthcare.
Consequently, women are more likely to feel the pressure of juggling their career and family. However, there is good news!
Finding a Seamless Work-Life Balance Is Possible!
There are ways you can manage all your tasks at the office and continue to be a superstar at home. Even the smallest changes can make all the difference.
Here’s how you can give a boost to your work and personal life!
1 ) Learn the Art of Saying No
When you are striving to be at the top of your game at work and eager to impress your manager, it can be tricky to say NO to your employer. Employees have been conditioned to think that saying ‘NO’ to your supervisor will rank as negative on your appraisal.
Approach your boss respectfully and have an attitude of cooperation while declining any task. Be ready with a solution and seek compromise for the work problem. Consequently, giving a justified ‘NO’ once in a while will not trigger a negative response from your supervisor.
Smartly manage your schedule by making a strategy, organizing your weekly tasks, reducing your work break and coming in early to the office. It will save your time and reduce taking work home, doing extra shifts, staying late at the office, working on weekends or taking over somebody else’s task.
Being proactive will only earn you the respect and approval of your boss when you show that you can efficiently handle your responsibilities.
2) Leave Work at Work
It is common practice to take pending work home. We often ignore the idea of unplugging from our jobs at the end of a busy day. With never-ending errands to complete, e-mails to answer and to-do lists to meet, we unconsciously slip in our work at the dining table or social gatherings.
However, your work shouldn’t follow you wherever you go. Ensure that you don’t bring your remaining tasks home. Make a game plan on how to accomplish assignments as they come to you and don’t think about work while you are with your family.
Relax and meditate for some time. Play with your kids. Cook dinner for your husband. Enjoy a long walk.
3) Learn how to switch off
We live in a tech-savvy world that never sleeps. If you remain connected to your office via your devices it can weigh you down. Your mind is always on work mode as you are compelled to check the status of your tasks and coordinate with your colleagues.
You need to stop doing it once you are out of office!
Switch your gadgets off during family dinner or bedtime so your loved ones don’t feel that you’re distracted. Next time, don’t text your boss during your kid’s birthday party or get someone from your team to take care of things at that time. Avoid sending emails while you’re hanging out with your spouse.
4) Work hard but play harder
Being passionate about your work is awesome but your job should never take over your life. After all, we devote our time to earn money so that we can enjoy our dream lifestyle.
Amidst your hectic schedule, let’s not forget to have fun doing what we love!
Taking some time out for yourself is also important. Work out, keep fit, meditate, get your beauty sleep, enjoy a spa day with your best friends or get some shopping therapy!
This way you will be more motivated at work too and avoid getting burnt out.
5) Fight the guilt
There is a persistent guilt that haunts you when you choose your private life over professional. This remorse not only takes away your peace and personal freedom but can also make you feel bitter in the long run – not only towards your employers but also towards yourself.
It is important to understand that it is OKAY to take some time off for yourself and your family.
Once you realize this, you will feel more empowered and less stressed.
Achieve Work-Life Balance With HEROES
Realizing the effort it takes and the sacrifices women make in their struggle for work-life balance, Unilever has introduced a mentorship program ‘HEROES’.
The one-of-its-kind platform will help working women to tackle major issues in the workplace and steer their way to success in the business world.
Shazia Syed, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairperson of Unilever Pakistan Limited will be conducting a Facebook Live Session to motivate and mentor young women on how to balance a hectic work and social schedule.
HEROES Breaking Barriers With Shazia Syed
The mother of two is passionate about women empowerment and a strong believer in hard work.
Over the years, she has successfully managed her career whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance. From being born in a small town to moving across Pakistan to achieve her dreams, her journey has been nothing but an inspiration to all of us.
‘Simplification of things’ has been her Mantra in life. Shazia started as an MT and over a 28-year career has managed director, VP and C-suite roles. She joined the board on 1st November 2015 and since then she has held various senior management positions across most categories at Unilever Pakistan.
Besides being on the board she is also the CEO of Unilever Pakistan Foods limited, former Chairperson of Unilever Sri Lanka Limited and now Pakistan.
Coming from a dual career family, she has always been passionate about playing her role to empower women.
To ensure that the issue of women empowerment gets the attention and importance it deserves, Shazia took a great initiative and launched Heroes, a platform that aims to help women find mentors and access to help sponsors.
When talking about workplace balance, Shazia is an active advocate of diversity and believes that enabling and facilitating working women from all background across all sectors should be every leader’s top priority.
For those who want to tune into HEROES Live Facebook Session with Shazia Syed, visit HEROES’ Facebook Page on 10th July, at 7 p.m and get inspired by one of the best!
You can send in your questions regarding work-life balance during the live session and get mentored by Shazia to succeed in business and life.
