In this article we will discuss the types of time and how to reduce stress and achieve work-life balance by addressing TIME itself!
In this way you will be able to understand the complexity of time and to balance your life properly and without guilt.
Table of Contents
The types of Time
I have often talked about the importance of personal time. This need is directly integrated into our entire existence within the modern world as we know it.
However, our time – even though it is our own or at least that’s what we think it is – is divided into 4 different types:
- Personal time,
- Professional time,
- Family time and
- Social time.
Our personal time refers to the time we dedicate to ourselves. This may be anything from our private hygiene, to reading, hobbies and other activities.
Our professional time refers to time spent during our employment and everything related to that.
Our family time refers to time spent with our close or distant families and social time refers to time spent with our friends.
As you understand, all of these are important for us in order to be fully functional in today’s society. However, the problems begin when one digs inside the other and creates imbalance into our lives. Usually this happens when our professional time digs into our personal time.
Being able to distinguish when this delicate balance is disturbed is important. Restoring this balance is the first required step in order to protect ourselves and our well-being. And in order to do that, we need to see if we can actually tell one type of ‘time’ from the other.
- For example, how would you define time spent with your colleagues outside of the office?
- Does that count as personal, professional or social time?
Even if you are very close with your colleagues, it can never become personal. Personal time is time spent by yourself. Some people need more, some need less.
So it’s either professional or social. Social refers to people outside of your work environment, usually friends. So unless you are best friends with your colleagues (might happen with some of them), then the only thing that is left is professional time and it should be treated as such.
Understanding the different types of time is important!
Let me explain: You spend 8 to 10 hours every day with a handful of people (or more), 5-6 days a week. Let’s imagine that your company plans an excursion on Sunday. Whether you enjoy the activities and time spent with your colleagues or not, by the middle of the coming week you will feel like you spent 2 entire weeks with your colleagues – which is actually true because that’s what you did. So if you are stressed at work, you automatically introduced more stress into your life by doing what I mentioned above.
This is how important it is for our performance and state of mind to actually take a break from either environment. It refreshes us, protects us from stress and ultimately gives us a small boost to perform better and move forward.
There are 6 steps you must take to safeguard this work-life balance. This will reduce stress and therefore protect yourself from a potential burn-out! Here are the steps:
1. Identify the type of time
The first thing you must do, is take some time to determine which one is which.
Can you clearly see the difference between the types of time? If not, take a closer look. Being able to do that will allow you to manage your time better.
2. Decide on your priority
Then you must think and determine what is more important for you: career, family, friends or you?
You can’t have them all and you need to choose one over the other at any point (you will see why in the next point).
Otherwise, there will be conflict in your life and then stress and fear will shortly follow, making your existence a living hell.
3. Put your priorities in order of importance
After you define what is what and what is more important, you need to make a priority list.
- Is it professional > family > personal > social?
- or family > professional > social and personal last?
This will help you define where to place the weight when needed to make a choice.
4. Make your choice
If you keep changing your mind, your life is already hell. Try to keep things balanced at all times.
You cannot please everyone so deciding who you are going to make unhappy (your boss, your wife/husband/kids or you) will determine the quality of your life.
5. Stick with it
If it doesn’t work the first time around, don’t panic – we can fix it!
If you feel you are getting overwhelmed, it means that perhaps you made the wrong choice when defining your priorities.
In that case, you may need to go back to step 2 (or even 1) and re-do this process.
6. Take care of yourself
Last but not least: you need to take care of yourself and stay healthy. Address your nutrition, stress levels, sleep and of course your state of mind.
People tend to underestimate the importance of health and only tend to focus on their work and family. But how will you be able to cope with all the demands in either part of your life if you are not in top shape?
By implementing these steps, you will be able to distinguish the difference in activities and to be able to establish a balance in your life which will lower your stress levels and improve your quality of life.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when your lack of time created an imbalance in your life? What did you feel? What did you do about it? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
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Also if you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!
by Nick Sigma
CWC, EH, E-YRT200
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