Unfortunately, it’s becoming more common that people are expected to work long and unsociable hours, and people seem to just accept it. Whilst this is the case in general, it’s even more so the case when you’re living and working in London. With modern technology enabling constant communication, it can be hard to get away from persistent bombardment from clients and colleagues. Yet, there is more to life than work. Even if you’ve chosen a demanding career path, it is important to know how to set boundaries in order to live your life as you want to outside of work. So, here are a few things you can do to create a clearer distinction between your work and home lives when you’re living and working in London!
Set Clear Working Hours Each Week
The best way to give yourself valuable time outside of work is to set yourself clear working hours each week. Although you might have to swap a few things around in order to fit in important work responsibilities, going into the week with an idea of the hours you will be working will help you to stick to a reasonable schedule.
Start by setting yourself office hours that you can give out on business cards and make sure you stick to them each week. This will mean you will have a chance to catch up on any admin work that needs doing and it will also prevent random people calling you whenever they want!
Then, make sure you have a work phone with another number to colleagues and clients. I would recommend having a work phone as well as your personal phone to help keep things separate. You could tell your clients they can call you whenever they need, or you could tell them that it is best to reach you between 9am and 5pm, although you are happy to accept their call for something urgent outside of those hours.
Prioritise Your Time
There will always be something more you could be doing when it comes to work, especially in a high pressure office in London, so a good way to know how to draw the line is by prioritising the tasks you need to do. When you start work each day, write down the tasks that are urgent, the tasks that are important and ongoing tasks that can wait. This is a good excuse to do a bit of colour coding, too…
This way, you will make sure you are getting the important stuff done and you may also have a chance to complete a few additional things, but you will have a better idea of where to draw the line. You can go home feeling pleased that all the essential things are finished, helping you to relax.
Give Yourself Some ‘Me’ Time
Just as you will plan important meetings in advance, you should be planning your ‘me’ time. It is crucial that you take time to do things you enjoy in your week in order to protect your wellbeing, which will help you to perform better at work. There is so much to see and do in London, so you should be making the most of it!
Maybe you love exercising so you throw on your favourite womens gymwear to go to a running club (there are so many great ones in London) or your favourite loungewear for a yoga class two mornings a week. Perhaps you like to spend time researching something that interests you, like finding out the newest fashion trends of the season or the vital role that women played in the development of things like telescopes, multivitamins or life rafts hundreds of years ago. If you’re an art lover, book sessions once or twice a week at your local craft or art centre, to make personalised candles or fun pottery. For those of you who love travelling, plan a few trips at the start of the year that you can look forward to. If you love restaurants, go out and explore some of the incredible places London has to offer! Whatever it is that you enjoy, make sure it is regularly implemented into your life.
Plan Family and Friends Time In Advance
Just like you will plan some time for yourself, you must make a conscious effort to see family and friends. Although your loved ones say they don’t mind when you have to cancel at the last minute for work commitments, it will get draining for them.
So, each week contact your friends and family and organise to see them. If anything comes up for work, you simply say ‘I can’t make that I’m afraid’ or ‘I know I can’t do that time, but I am available at…’. There is no need to say why you aren’t free, and if someone is nosey enough to ask, tell them it is a personal matter. Putting the needs of your family and friends above your clients is important sometimes and being strict with yourself is key when you work in London.
Final Thoughts
Work is obviously a big part of your life, and it’s a big part of the culture when you live in London, yet you must prioritise your personal life sometimes. Set yourself clear working hours, prioritise your work, get used to setting aside time for yourself and show your loved ones what they mean to you. It is possible to find a good balance, even in the most demanding of jobs!