No one ever regrets not spending more time at work. But many people will agree that they feel bad for not spending more time with their families.
So why is it so hard for most fathers to balance everything for family, work, hobbies, and friends? In general, men value their existence and worth by considering how much they can offer their families. They believe that working hard equates to being a responsible and better father. While this statement is partially true, it has consequences.
Balance may mean differently for everyone. However, you can find these tips helpful to achieve a harmonious and balanced work-life.
Set Your Goals
Pause for a while and think about the things you want to accomplish. As much as possible, be firm and clear when establishing your goals, as it’s critical in creating a balanced life at work and home. If your time for your family and your job is valuable, determine some specific goals you want to accomplish. Doing this might help you realize that your frequent overtime at work leads you to the wrong path and steers you away from your family.
Be Organized
Being organized is not just a task for moms. Even dads need to practice this habit too. It will be easier for you to balance your life at work and home if you know how to organize your schedule and commitments.
You can’t have it all. At some point, you need to stick to your priorities and know if it’s time to get to work or spend time with your family. Committing time for your family isn’t rocket science. You can figure it out by taking the time to think and weighing things. Have you been spending too much time in the office? Are you not aware of what’s going on with your child’s life anymore? If the answer is yes, it’s time to make adjustments.
Limit Time for Time-wasting Activities
We all need some time for ourselves from time to time. And if we’re being honest, dads often are the ones who get plenty of alone time. But what’s concerning is that they often dedicate their time to time-wasting activities like playing mobile app games or scrolling social media sites.
Of course, there’s no harm in enjoying your hobbies and the things you like to do. But it can significantly affect your family if you spend too much time on these things until it becomes a habit. Set a time limit every time you do these activities, so you can still have more time for your loved ones.
Be Honest
It’s easy for dads to say they “don’t have the time” to do specific things. Think about how many you told your kids or your wife that you “don’t have the time to play games” or “go on a vacation and date.”
Instead of saying you don’t have the time, say that it’s not your priority at the moment. If you do this, you will automatically reflect on your “actual priorities” and why you don’t put the family time there.
Have Some Personal Time
Having personal time is essential for all men. And because of this, they find it challenging to balance work and personal life, but it shouldn’t be that way. They find it hard to insert family activities like date nights, movies nights, and playtime with the kids but inserting work activities is never a problem.
Did you know that most dads spend only seven hours a week with their kids? That’s roughly 1 hour a day with your children! Achieving a work-life balance is all about making an effort to give equal time for work and family. If you have to sacrifice a few things to achieve balance, then so be it.
Be Physically and Emotionally Present
Yes, you work hard when you’re in the office, but you also need to put in the same amount of energy when it’s family time. Being present doesn’t only mean being physically present. It means making an effort to spend QUALITY time with your family.
Put your phone down and ask your wife how her day went. Take your kids outside and play with them. Whatever you do, make sure that it brings you closer to your family. And when you’re with them, it’s essential to set aside your work and focus on them alone.
Lastly, don’t forget that nobody is perfect. You might have limitations, but they don’t make you less of a father. As long as you try to do better and make up for your shortcomings, your family will always appreciate your efforts. Work hard, but never forget the reason why you’re working hard, your family.
