6 strategies to protect your work-life balance in a fast-paced environment

Cover image: Apple TV

Do you ever feel like trying to get a million things right is causing you to fall short on every account? Balancing your work duties with your personal life can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced environment like financial services. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve a work-life balance that protects your productivity and wellbeing. Let’s dive in on how you can make this happen.

#1 Prioritise and plan

When there are a lot of things on your plate, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is important and what isn’t. The first step is jotting it all down – whether it’s on your phone, a piece of paper, or a tool for task management: you need to keep an overview of your tasks. Recognise that not every task on your to do list is of equal importance. Start by identifying what is both urgent and important. What needs to be done, by you, right now? Focusing on these tasks first can help prevent overwhelm and ensure that you’re allocating your time and energy where it matters most.

Effective time management is a crucial element in achieving a healthy work-life balance. Tools like time-blocking, setting specific goals for each day, and breaking down larger projects into manageable steps can make a big difference. If you’re not sure which tasks should take priority, don’t hesitate to ask your team for input.

Effective time management is a crucial element in achieving a healthy work-life balance.

#2 Set boundaries

One of the biggest challenges in a fast-paced environment is maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life. Without these boundaries, work can easily spill over into your free time, potentially leading to burnout.

Establishing clear limits on when you’re available for work and when you are not also of critical importance. Communicate these boundaries clearly to your team and managers and adhere to them. Don’t go checking your e-mail right before bedtime if you can help it – trust that it can wait until the next day.

Setting boundaries is not a sign of weakness, it’s necessary to maintain your effectiveness and wellbeing.

Setting boundaries is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s necessary to maintain your effectiveness and wellbeing. By respecting your own time, you’ll be better able to fully show up during work hours and deliver high-quality results.

#3 Leverage technology

When used correctly, technology can help streamline your work processes and free up more time for personal activities. Embrace the ecosystem of tools provided by your company, whether it’s Microsoft Teams, Asana, Google Workspace, or others. Make these tools your own: you can customise them to fit your workflow, and help you stay organised.

If the tools provided by your employer don’t suffice, you can also use other platforms to help you better manage your time. Productivity apps like Notion or Trello can help you manage tasks, set reminders, and keep track of your progress. This can help you to stay on top of your work without getting overwhelmed.

#4 Choose quality over quantity

In a fast-paced environment especially, it can be easy to mistake being busy for being productive. However, working smart is far more effective than simply working hard. Focus on delivering high-quality work, rather than just trying to do more. Be intentional about your tasks and make sure that the things you choose to do are helping you achieve your goals.

Working smart is far more effective than simply working hard.

One way to avoid unnecessary busywork is to ask the right questions at the start of a project. This can save you from getting sucked into unnecessary meetings. Don’t be afraid to advocate for your own time to protect your main goals and productivity.

#5 Make time for self-care

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is impossible if you don’t take care of your mental and physical health. Incorporating self-care practices into your daily routine is essential, even when – especially when – your schedule is packed. Simple habits like a short daily work-out, a few minutes of meditation in the morning or before bed or taking up a hobby can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing.

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. You don’t need to train for a marathon or go on luxury wellness retreats. It’s about finding small, consistent practices that help you recharge and maintain your energy levels. And remember, by prioritising your health, you’ll be better equipped to deal with the demands of a fast-paced work environment.

#6 Seek flexibility (if you need it)

Flexible work arrangements are becoming more and more common. Many companies are open to offering options like remote work or flexible hours. If you can use these options to your advantage, to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, then you should definitely do that. However, don’t feel obligated to conform to any working model. It’s okay if you prefer the structure of a traditional office schedule. Some people find that working in the office helps create a clear separation between work and personal life.

Don’t feel obligated to conform to any working model.

When we used to all work in the office every day, we had our commute time as a clear transition from work life to home life. Now that we’re working from home a lot of the time and we can enjoy flexible hours that bend around our lives, it can be more difficult to discern between work time and free time. Some things that may help you to make these boundaries clearer, is to change clothes when leisure time begins, or have a home office with a door you can actually close behind you. Or just clock your hours at the office. The key is to find what works best for you.

Conclusie

In a fast-paced environment like financial services, achieving a good balance between work and personal life can be challenging. However, with the right approach, it’s entirely possible to achieve. By prioritising your tasks, setting boundaries, leveraging technology, choosing quality over quantity, practicing self-care and seeking flexibility when needed, you can create a sustainable routine that supports your physical and mental health. If you’re currently feeling overwhelmed in your work life, we encourage you to try out these strategies and find out what works for you. If you have any additional tips, please feel free to share them with us as well!

Looking for opportunities to grow in the financial services industry? Then don’t hesitate to check out our career page right here.

Over Projective Group

Projective Group is opgericht in 2006 en is een toonaangevende change specialist voor de financiële dienstverlening.

We worden binnen de sector erkend als een provider van complete oplossingen, die samenwerkt met klanten in de financiële dienstverlening om oplossingen te bieden die zowel holistisch als pragmatisch zijn. We hebben ons ontwikkeld tot een betrouwbare partner voor bedrijven die willen gedijen en bloeien in een steeds veranderend landschap van financiële dienstverlening.