Whether you’re just starting out in your career or have been at it for a while, it’s safe to say that as much as we like our jobs, they can be pretty draining too. Between the long hours and constant responsibilities, there’s just not enough sunshine when it comes to working life. But, like any other aspect of our lives, there are ways to make it easier and better. By keeping regular benchmarks and having periodic check-ins with how we’re balancing everything else in our lives, we stand a better shot of maintaining balance for the long term. This article covers some of the most important things you should know about balancing career and life as an employee in order to ensure you have what you need to thrive both personally and professionally.

What makes a good balance between career and life?

It’s important to recognize that there are no absolute rules when it comes to balancing career and life. However, there are certain things that make this process a whole lot easier and more successful than it might otherwise be. The first thing is having a clear idea of where you want to end up. We may not be able to be there physically, but we can certainly get an idea of where we want to end up in our minds. This will go a long way towards helping you make sure that you’re not putting too much pressure on yourself and missing the mark. Another important thing is having a good support system in place. Having a partner or a close friend to talk things over with can be incredibly helpful when it comes to making sure that you’re keeping things in perspective. And last but not least, make sure that you’re keeping yourself balanced both in and out of work. This can be as simple as getting out into the world, meeting people, and experiencing what it has to offer every now and then.

The importance of having a clear career goal

One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to create a good balance between career and life is having a clear goal in mind for your career path. This goal doesn’t have to be a grandiose vision of what you want to be doing next five years down the line. Instead, it could simply be getting a better understanding of what you’re interested in and what you have an aptitude for. With this in mind, it’s important to consider the career that’s right for you. You’re likely to have far more success if you choose a career that’s right for who you are and what you’re interested in than if you try to force yourself into something that you don’t naturally have an aptitude for. Finding a career that’s right for you will also help you stay motivated and on-track with your goal. If you’re excited about what you’re doing, then it’s much easier to see the value in it from a broader perspective too.

Set SMART goals for your career path

Like we said above, your goal doesn’t have to be grandiose. Instead, it could simply be getting a better understanding of what you’re interested in and what you have an aptitude for. With this goal in mind, you can start to set more specific career goals for yourself.

– Set a goal that’s specific enough to help you keep it in mind. Avoid goals that are too general or too broad and you run the risk of drifting off-course and getting distracted before you’ve even gotten started.

– Set a time frame for when you want to achieve the goal. If you don’t have a time frame, you’re likely to end up getting frustrated before you’ve even started.

– Set a measurable goal. A vague goal is like a vague outline. Sure, you can draw a rough sketch, but it’s far more likely to end up looking like a cartoon if it’s missing essential details.

– Set a realistic goal. You don’t want to be so ambitious that you end up feeling disappointed if you don’t quite get there.

– Set an accountability partner. It can be helpful to have an accountability partner who is willing to hold you accountable for the goals and measurements you’ve set.

Create a routine

The most important part of any successful habit is creating a routine. By following a daily routine, you set yourself up for success. All of the positive things in life are a result of consistency, not an exception. The same holds true for your work life. You can only be consistently productive if you’re consistently at it. If you’re not sure what your routine should look like, ask yourself two questions: What gets you up in the morning? And, after you’re up and around, what do you do for the rest of the day? Your routine may vary, but you can bet that if it isn’t helping you with any of the three items above, it needs some attention.

Don’t forget to recharge

There’s a tendency when we’re in a job that makes us extremely busy to think that if we just push harder and put in more hours, we’ll be able to somehow magically be more productive. Well, that’s not the way it works. No matter how busy you are, there are times when you need to take a step back and reset. This doesn’t necessarily mean taking a break or out of the office. It can simply mean going somewhere and doing something that isn’t a part of your normal routine. You’re not only giving yourself a break, you’re also recharging so that you’re better equipped to get back to work when you’re ready.

Stay connected with loved ones

Not only is it nice to see the people in your life when you have the chance, but it’s also a good idea to remain connected with people back home. Life can be incredibly busy, and to stay connected with loved ones you may have back home, call them or make an effort to visit them every so often. If you’re in a position where you can’t make the trip back home often, you can also send them emails and make Skype calls. You don’t have to have a lot of time on your hands to put this into practice, but if you make an effort once a month, you’ll have a lot more time to spend with your loved ones once you get back home again.

Find your passion, and build a career around it

This may be what you discover while working through this guide, but it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for what you love to do. Once you know what that is, build a career around it. If you love research and analysis, then become a financial analyst. If you love marketing, then do some marketing. Whatever it may be, find your passion, and build a career around it. This not only makes it easier to stay engaged with the work, but it will also result in a more satisfying career.

Celebrate your accomplishments

As important as it is to stay grounded, it’s also a really good idea to celebrate your accomplishments. Whether you’ve made significant progress in a specific project or have met some major milestone in another area of your work, celebrate your successes. Doing so will keep you mentally engaged and energized for the work at hand, and it’s good practice for everyone else as well — your team members will be more likely to celebrate your accomplishments, which will only make you even more excited.

Network and grow within your organization

On the topic of networking and building relationships, it’s also a good idea to reach out to people at other organizations you’d like to build relationships with. When you’re in a position where you have some downtime and the opportunity to do so, reach out to people that you’d like to meet and who you think may be helpful for you down the road. These may be people at other companies who have experience that you’d be able to benefit from, experts on a certain topic, or anyone who can help you bring a new skill into your professional arsenal. If you have the opportunity to meet people from other organizations, do so. Being open to meeting with people from other companies, people in the field you’re in, and industry leaders is a great way to build relationships in your field that can help you in the long run.

Bottom line

In order to successfully balance career and life, it’s important to create a work routine, take regular breaks and step back from your work every now and then, stay connected with loved ones, find your passion and celebrate your accomplishments. These are all important ways to help you make the most of your work life and have a more fulfilling career.