Work Life Balance for the Nigerian Worker
As hard-working people, we certainly consider the possibility that routines wear people out and work-life balance is an important principle for everyone to absorb.
These days the life expectancy of the average man is getting shorter, more people, especially men under 40, are dying, and for the same reason: extremely high blood pressure and hypertension that sometimes leads to aneurysms (when an artery in the brain explodes). Unfortunately, this is the awful truth, and while we need to put food on the table, what good is it when we can’t be around to enjoy the fruits of our labor?
Work-life balance is simply what it says to balance your work and life. Sorry to disappoint you but your work is not your life and vice versa. If God forbid you drop dead today, the work will continue because there is machinery for continuity and no one is really indispensable.
It’s time to reevaluate our priorities, take some time to smell the roses. Yes, you are young and probably elastic; however, you never know when the rubber will break.
It’s true that the work may be tough, you may have a difficult boss, or the politics are coming to a head, your teammates are traitors, and the rat race seems more difficult.
Regardless of this, enjoy life, enjoy your one hour lunch break, even if you think work can’t wait, it really can. Maximize your time; make sure you finish all your tasks before the official close of work and shut down. Avoid taking work home, enjoy the company of your wife/husband and children, do things to make them smile, have healthy arguments to stimulate your mind, yes, enjoy the love that radiates from that all-important support system called family.
Scientific studies show that people who have a great family life are more relaxed and productive, the joy they have shines through and impacts their work, making them high achievers with little chance of burnout.
Life is about setting goals, achieving them and enjoying the result. Spend more time with your family, be spontaneous, do something for yourself. If you’ve always been so selfless, reward yourself, go to a movie, goof around, laugh, get a massage, travel.
One last thing, never, ever skimp on your annual vacation, it may be your only chance to detox and rejuvenate, if you don’t watch your vacation and take time off, you’ll only have yourself to blame.