One of the topics we’ve continued to revisit throughout the summer and virtual work-life is the importance of setting boundaries. Now that we are spending most of our work and leisure time in the comfort of our homes, it’s even to feel like the line between working and not-working is blurred, or an innate sense of guilt for not being on call at all times. However, it is essential to living a balanced lifestyle that you learn to unplug from work and technology! Learn how to do so as we enter the weekend here…

Relaxing on the Weekend…

• Set Boundaries in Advance: In order to truly achieve the goal of unplugging, it’s crucial to set yourself up for success by creating boundaries in advance. Whether this means a time of day, a specific day in the week or a limited number of times checked, set a restriction for yourself to follow regarding your work and technology. Implementing these subtle goals will provide you a sense of achievement and “rule” to stay accountable by.
• Make Plans! If you feel the same way as I do, that creeping feeling that settles in that you should be doing “more” occurs when I’m lying in bed and unoccupied. For that reason, try to occupy yourself over the weekend by creating a schedule or set of plans to take action through. While the COVID pandemic will undoubtedly create a shift in how our usual plans may look, there are still many things and ways to find fun during this time. Try out a picnic, in-home date night, movie night, art project, workout class, or other do-it-yourself activities to stay engaged outside of technology!
• Maintain Open Communication With Your Team: If a sense of guilt is taking over your mind, it may be a result of a difference between operating standards within your team or organization. Remember, just because your coworker or manager may stay online through all hours of the night does not mean that you must! Having an open communication plan where you let your manager know when you will and will not be reachable by mail or whatever it may be will relieve your sense of uncertainty and therefore need to stay in contact at all times.

We hope that, above all, you remember the importance of working to live instead of living to work! Whether we are in the office or at home, finding a work-life balance is your key to maintaining motivation and a desire to be productive. So, relax and restore this weekend!

Find out a productive Monday plan to get back on track here!