Work Life Balance Tips For Men

One of my favourite rom-com tropes usually comes out around Christmas. All the Hallmark films are about the big city girl who has to move back home or to the countryside to find her next big project or deal with something difficult.

She is a workaholic, of course, with no time for anything, not even love. But all that changes when she meets a strapping man.

He is loved by locals, the animals, and just about anything that can breathe.

He shows her the true meaning of life, that there is more to life than working. She lets her tightly held ponytail down and finds parts of herself that she forgot existed.

I love a good cliche!

I wouldn’t change anything about these movies… well, except that I wish they made more of them but with men as the leads.

I love the good cliches, but I would not mind a little realism to go with it. After all, men also struggle to find a work life balance, especially heartbroken ones.

But that’s something to be discussed another time.

For this article, I would like to focus on work life balance tips for men, by men.  

Men Don’t Have It Together Either!

Fellas, do not let the thousands of articles fool you; men struggle with work life balance, too. Statistics show that women are more dissatisfied with their job and life balance. But that does not mean you are not struggling. 

A man’s traditional role has always been the breadwinner. It is why most people with boomer parents don’t remember much about dad spending time with them.

Unfortunately, this notion is still hard-built into society.

Men must provide.

Men must earn a lot of money.

Men must work.

Yes, there is nothing wrong with working. But most men end up with a poor work life balance. The responsibility of being a provider can cause some men to spend less time with their families and loved ones. 

Ask yourself, when was the last time you enjoyed a hobby?

Or when did you last play with your son or pet?

Has your spouse been complaining about your work pattern?

Well, it’s time to stop and listen to those complaints. You have a poor work life balance, which will cost you in the long run.

And I don’t just mean mentally.

Poor work life balance means you are at risk of burnout. After some time, you will feel less motivated at work. It’s going to show because your productivity will decrease.

Then, one day, you will realize you actually hate your job. The health symptoms will start to show up, and you’ll realize the job is killing you.

You will want support from the people you love. But you struggled to make time for them, so they are probably not in the picture anymore. And if they are, well, your relationship is strained.

Poor work life balance can have these and many more effects.

You don’t want to be the guy who had to explain to his friends how he lost his family, loved one, or sense of individuality because he was too busy working. Not at this age!

It’s time to tame your work hours and put more effort into being a human. Learn how below.

Tips for Men on Achieving Work Life Balance 

Set Boundaries and Prioritize

To achieve work life balance, you must be ready to set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Put some tasks before others based on their importance and urgency.

For example, if you set up specific work hours, then respect them. Avoid checking emails or taking work calls during family dinners or personal time.

Renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk is known for setting strict boundaries between work and personal life to maintain balance.

Practicing this will help you focus on both his professional and personal endeavors.

Utilize Time Management Techniques

If you are good at time management, it can really contribute to achieving work life balance.

And if you’re terrible at it, consider learning techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix to assign time effectively between work tasks and personal activities.

For instance, allocate specific time slots for work-related tasks and dedicate uninterrupted blocks of time for family or hobbies.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates effectively manages his time using the “Think Weeks” strategy.

He takes off to a secluded location twice a year to read and think, balancing his work with personal reflection.

Be more like Gates!

Assign Responsibilities

Learn to delegate tasks at work and home to avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain balance. Yes, you want to do it all, but you can’t, and that’s okay.

Find tasks that others can handle efficiently and trust them to do so.

For example, delegate administrative tasks to capable team members and involve family members in household chores and responsibilities.

Take a page out of Gordon Ramsay’s book and delegate tasks. When he does, it allows him to focus on creativity and family time while maintaining the quality of his culinary empire.

Do the same and have time away to play with pets or hang out with friends. 

Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management

On top of work, you need to include mindfulness techniques and stress management practices for balance. Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to relieve stress and promote mental well-being.

Consider going for a walk to clear your mind during your lunch break. You could also medicate on a balcony or rooftop. 

Actor and producer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson prioritizes mindfulness and stress management techniques to balance his demanding career with family life.

You’re probably not an actor, but stress management during the workday is important. 

Schedule Regular Exercise and Recreation

Do you love to work out? It’s probably one of those things you haven’t done in a long time because you are working too much. Don’t have the time? It’s time to make time for regular exercise and recreational activities. They can help rejuvenate your body and mind. Include workouts or sports into your weekly schedule to stay physically active and relieve stress.

For example, join a gym, go for a run, or play team sports with friends.

Former President Obama was well known for a consistent exercise routine, often seen playing basketball or working out, to balance the demands of leading the nation with personal well-being.

If the president could find time to exercise while leading a nation, then you can find time to exercise.

Finding Balance: Success While Taking Care Of Your Well-being

The traditional expectation for men to be primary providers often leads to an imbalance where work takes over everything else.

However, men must recognize the importance of nurturing all aspects of their lives to avoid burnout and maintain overall well-being.

Achieving work life balance requires continuous effort. So it’s up to you to make the effort every day until you get the hang of it. It sounds exhausting, but remember, you just have to get through one day at a time! So, take charge of the balance today.