3 practical tips to navigate work-life balance as a new professional
Learn tips and techniques to create balance in your work-life
Entering the workforce is challenging, and navigating it as a new professional can be even tougher. After spending 4+ years studying the industry, you finally land your first entry-level job. Yet, no book or class can fully prepare you on how to achieve work-life balance.
During your first few months on the job, you may feel the pressure to prove yourself to your colleagues while also trying to enjoy this new milestone. In today’s digital world, it can be especially difficult to unplug from the media, which plays such a critical role in our daily jobs.
I’ve recently entered the corporate workforce, and while finding a balance between work and life has been no easy task, I’ve discovered strategies that have helped support my journey as a new professional. Here are three tips to help you achieve work-life balance:
3 tips to create balance during your first job
Organize your priorities: Whether you are working in an agency or in-house, there are many factors to consider in your daily schedule –from tasks and meetings to client requests and crises. It’s crucial to find an organizational system that keeps you on track and ahead of deadlines.
Personally, I am most organized when I can write my tasks in a physical planner. For example, because I work with multiple clients, highlighting what client the task is for in my planner helps me visualize what client is my priority for the day. Although it is a simple organization method, it is one I have kept since college and has helped me minimize the risk of forgetting any important meetings or tasks.
Organizing your weekly priorities can also help you picture what to focus on daily and estimate how long you need to complete a task. This ensures you are using your work hours efficiently and can complete tasks before logging off for the day. Time is key!Respect boundaries – yours and others: Your colleagues are also balancing their work and personal lives, not just you. Learning to respect others' work boundaries can help you uncover how people manage their workdays and inspire strategies you can implement for yourself. For example, if you are on PTO, try your best to avoid checking your email, work chats, etc.
For transparency’s sake, I sometimes check my work email when I am out of the office because I feel like I didn’t prepare my team to complete any tasks needed or feel guilty for pilling my tasks on them. However, I have a great leadership team that always reminds me to log off when I need to be logged off. This action is then carried on by all team members to respect everyone's PTO and also helps build trust within our team that when one team member is OOO, someone else can cover and complete all deliverables needed. It is also a great personal reminder that work will always be there but personal matters also need to be prioritized first.
As a new employee, you might feel hesitant about setting certain work boundaries, but observing what others are doing –such as not answering emails after 5 p.m. – can help build your confidence in respecting both others' work boundaries and your own.Find your 5-9 after your 9-5: Discover that “thing” you look forward to after a busy workday! Your after-work routine is just as important as your daytime routine. Whether it’s working out, cooking, reading, sewing, or painting, find an activity that helps you unwind and unplug. For me, this means cooking my favorite meal after work, binge-watching my favorite show, doing a skincare routine, and ending the night off with tea and my favorite book. Simple but relaxing!
Prioritize your hobbies and uncover new ones – it’s the perfect way to make sure you dedicate time to yourself and distinguish who you are inside and outside of work.
Everyone is discovering their recipe for work-life balance, so don’t be afraid to start early and advocate for yourself. And remember, even small steps each day to prioritize yourself are an accomplishment. It’s a process, so stick to the journey!
I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, ideas, or questions in the comments below and join the conversation.
Meet Gisselle
Gisselle Bahena is a Junior Coordinator at Edible Inc. (a Daniel J. Edelman Holdings Company). She specializes in influencer marketing and works primarily with food and beverage clients. Gisselle recently graduated from DePaul University and was the 2022-2023 DePaul PRSSA Chapter President. She is currently a member of PRSA.
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