Finding a solid work-life balance can feel like an impossible task. From societal expectations to personal ambitions, women are constantly asked to do more.

To be more.

To become more.

You “have the same number of hours in a day as Beyonce”, right?

So why are so many of us left feeling burnt out? It’s simple.

We’re sold a half-truth— “we can have it all”. Yes, we absolutely can. But maybe not having and being and doing it all all the time. If we’re spread too thin, no area of our lives gets our 100%. The first place we begin to deplete our resources from is our own personal reserves. You’ve heard it a million times but it’s true, we can’t pour from empty cups!

As a new mom, wife and business owner, I’ve been working through this firsthand. It’s so easy to keep going and going and going… until I’m forced to stop. I’ve found myself more overworked and under-resourced than I care to admit. Despite the exhaustion and frustration that has left me with, I’ve also learned some valuable lessons. Boundaries, time management tools, efficient multitasking, and delegation have become my best weapons for success… and a good latte in hand doesn’t hurt.

If you’ve found yourself in the same boat recently, we’re here to help you regain your balance so that you can show up as your best self for those you love, for work and for yourself as often as possible. Ahead, some of our favorite tips and tricks to help you find a sustainable work-life balance.

1. It’s okay to say, “no”

Saying “no” is one of the most effective ways to put solid boundaries in place. It also can be one of the most difficult. When a request comes from a loved one or our dream job, sometimes we ignore the signals from our nervous system screaming at us to slow down. And this is how we begin spreading ourselves far too thin. In order to give your best effort, you have to know your bandwidth and trust it. You do not exist to be everything to everyone. You’re here to be the best and happiest version of you. 

• Work: If you find you’re constantly being asked to add extra work to your plate, especially without compensation or recognition, start making a list of all of the requests that come your way. This way when moments like quarterly check ins for example appear you have a clear visual of what your workload is versus what you’ve been asked to take on. If you’re trying to avoid taking on certain tasks, find a professional way to set a boundary on what actually falls under your job description.
• Family & Social Life: Do your best to recognize when your family and loved ones seem to ignore your boundaries or overstep. Where are you giving away too much of your own energy? How would it look to prioritize yourself the way you prioritize others?
• Action Step: The second you begin to feel overwhelmed, run your decisions through a filter. Ask yourself if these requests you’re considering are adding value and an alignment with what you truly desire for yourself.

2. Health is Wealth—In All Forms

An unbalanced life can lead to dis-ease and poor health. The lack of balance tends to throw our bodies into a stressed state. Choosing to acknowledge the signals to slow down before serious health challenges arise is so vital to our wellbeing. So prioritize your physical, mental and emotional health whenever possible! Make your wellbeing a nonnegotiable.

• Physical Health: Plan your workouts and meal prep. It’s boring, but it’s effective! Planning ahead is the best way to make sure you get movement and good nutrition in every day.
• Mental & Emotional Well-being: Taking time to journal, participate in therapy, or practice any other mindfulness techniques will help calm your mental state and give you an emotional release whenever needed.
• Spiritual Health: Spiritual health can mean whatever you want it to mean! Just make sure it makes sense to you and is a part of your daily routine. Prayer, meditation, or even just a quiet moment to yourself will bring you a moment of clarity and ease you can return to throughout the day.
• Action Step: Choose one new habit that you can begin today! Add it into your schedule and feel the changes starting to take place. Mixing in a few more habits, slow slowly is a great way to ensure that each change sticks!

3. Prioritize! Prioritize! Prioritize!

Without clear priorities, everything can begin to feel urgent and crucial. But the truth is, so many things throughout our day aren’t nearly as important as we make them out to be. By choosing what aligns with your top priorities and the person you want to be, you can easily decide what it is and isn’t worth your time and precious energy.

• Work: What does career success look like to you? Is it moving up the corporate ladder? Is it time flexibility? Is it financial freedom?
•  Family & Personal Life: This one gets tricky because it is personal. Decide where your priorities lie in each season of life. Does the season call for you to focus on yourself? Are you looking to deepen relationships or are you hoping to attract a romantic love?
• Action Step: Name your top priorities for the next six months and use them as a guide when choosing how to spend your time. If it doesn’t add to the growth, it’s gotta go!

4. Unplug

With so many ways to connect in the digital age, it’s easy to feel like we’re always on call. Newsflash: you are not! Limiting your accessibility for communication helps you shift your focus more internally rather than constantly being plugged in and connected with others constantly.

• Prevent Social Media Overload: The minute you begin to feel stressed or insecure from the highlight reel that is social media, unplug! Taking periodic detoxes is helpful for calling back your energy.
• Work-Life Separation: if your job allows for it, no emails off the clock! If you must check them, set specific time frames and stick to it as best as possible.
• Action Step: Start an end your day with a phone free hour… or even just 30 minutes. Sometimes checking our phones isn’t always avoidable, but limiting our exposure to them helps reduce our cortisol levels leading us to have better mornings and better sleep.
• Six Reasons to Take a Digital Detox

5. Boundaries are your friend.

Boundaries prevent the line between work and your personal life from blurring. This way you’re clear on what your responsibilities are, to whom, and why. 

• Workplace Boundaries:You are your own best advocate! Clarify what your role is with your employer and what falls under your responsibilities and their expectations for you.
• Family Boundaries: Although we love them, we can’t always be available for family. There’s nothing wrong with telling them that you need a little bit of time alone in order to recoup and make sure you can show up for them fully resourced later on.
• Action Step: Where can you create stronger boundaries? Choose one area and if you’re feeling bold implement a clear boundary this week!

6. Sunday Resets

Sundays are for resting and resetting! Take this moment to charge yourself up and ensure you have a successful week ahead.

• Plan Your Week: Check your calendar, billing schedule and social life are all aligned and ready to go!
• Meal Prep: Plan out those meals so you’re not reaching for McDonald’s when you’re tired and in a pinch. 
• Self-Care Sunday: Take a moment for yourself! Go on a nature walk or extra long bubble bath. Reminding yourself of true self-love allows you to pour into others too!
• Action Step: Do a full Sunday reset and journal on how it feels afterwards.