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Self Discovery Newsletter

April 2007
 Find your balance

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In this issue
Flexible working and work life balance
5 tips for work life balance
Quick links
Contact Information
Hi Karen 
 
Me
I hope you had a good Easter and are enjoying the sunshine.  I believe that the warm weather and lighter evenings helps people to make a new start and take time to decide what is important.
 
One of these areas of importance for many is work life balance.  This month, there have been important changes in legislation in the UK around flexible working as well as improvements to maternity and paternity leave. For many years the government has promoted work life balance, which has led to these changes.  Although in reality, it can be difficult to achieve true work life balance.  So follow my top 5 tips to have a better balanced life!
 
Please forward this email today to your friends or family who would like to find their own work life balance.  Thanks for reading. 
 
Karen Williams
Life and Career Development Coach

 

Flexible working and work life balance
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On 6 April 2007, new laws on flexible working were introduced in the UK.  Prior to this date, only parents with children under 6 or disabled children under 18 had the right to request flexible working.  The Work and Families Act has extended this right to carers of adults, giving 1.4 million more employees the right to request flexible working.
 
Flexible working and work life balance are important to many people and I have worked with my clients to increase the balance in their lives..  So much so, that I have been asked to comment on this legislation for local and national press. Thank you to those of you who have allowed me to use your comments and situations in these articles.  I have also used the information in my Ezine articles and my blog.  

 

5 tips for work life balance
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Work life balance is a unique situation and means different things to different people.  I believe that it is "allowing people to have a fulfilled life both in and outside of work".

 

Despite legislation, workers in the UK still work long hours and suffer from stress and pressure at work, so what can you do to improve your life? Follow my top 5 tips to help you to find a better balance.

 

1.  Carry out a life review

 

Take time out to look at where you are currently. 

  • Do you want to carry on working the way you are?
  • Do you have enough time to spend with your friends and family?
  • Do you have enough time for your hobbies and leisure time?

As I mentioned last month, why don't you keep a time diary for a week or two to check that you have the time to do everything you want to do as well as reviewing where you could better manage your time?

 

2. Organise your life

 

Spending time preparing what you want to achieve can help you to better manage your time both in your job and your life.  

 
Set aside some time at the beginning and end of every day to prioritise what you want to achieve and the importance of each task.  Then at the end of each day, review what you have achieved (and congratulate yourself!) 

  

3. Learn the art of delegation

 

Delegation involves passing responsibility for completing a task or piece of work to another person.  It includes training someone to do a particular job or getting buy in from a partner to do the washing up!  To effectively delegate in either situation is similar. 

  • Decide what you want to delegate.
  • Explain what you want done and the reasons that you need their help.
  • Let go of the task.
  • Give credit for work that has been successfully completed. 

4. Review your working arrangements

 

To be truly satisfied in your job, it is important that the job is right for you, but additionally that it fits around other arrangements.  Many companies offer flexible working, such as part time working, job sharing, home based working or even career breaks or sabbaticals, which can help to support the other things that are important to you.

 

If you feel that a review of your working arrangements will help you, arrange a time to talk to your manager and review your options. Or if you are your own boss, make sure that your working time fits around other parts of your life that are important to you.

 

5. Look after yourself

 

Finally, it is easier to achieve work life balance if you are healthy and have time to relax and enjoy your life.

 

Develop and maintain interests that are not related to work and cultivate relationships with your family and friends.  A regular exercise routine, eating healthily and sleeping well can help you to restore your energy and allow you to live a better balanced life.
 
 
Quick Links
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Contact Information
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phone: 07823 335747
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