Achieving Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Admin Professionals

In the fast-paced world of admin professionals, where work often spills into personal life, achieving a mythical work-life balance can seem elusive. You might find yourself managing not just every detail of your employer’s business—from scheduling and emails to meetings and travel—but also personal tasks like buying birthday cards and remembering anniversaries.

Many of you also handle similar responsibilities at home, juggling family needs without the benefit of a paycheck for these efforts. Your days are likely filled with a long commute, a full workday without a real break, and then an evening crammed with personal chores and family obligations. And often, the hard work goes unnoticed.

The concept of work-life balance probably sounds like a dream, but it’s essential and achievable—you just need to take charge of creating it. It’s unlikely that your employer will spontaneously offer you more time off for the extra hours you’ve put in, so it’s up to you to draw the line.

Here’s some suggestions on how to reclaim your time and establish a healthier balance:

Set Boundaries with Work Hours

Avoid the habit of checking work emails during your commute or logging in over the weekend. This may initially make your inbox seem daunting, but remember, those emails will still be there later. Organise your emails by using rules to filter non-urgent messages into separate folders. For practical strategies on managing your inbox effectively, consider checking out EA How To video on Achieve Inbox Zero Every Day. Thank you Alicia!

Take Dedicated Breaks

If a full hour break seems impossible, start with a 30-minute break. Step away from your desk, go for a walk, or engage in activities that aren’t screen-related. Use this time to disconnect from work and recharge. Try going to a park for some fresh air and listening to an episode of Rachael Bonetti’s What It Means To Be Well podcast. There are so many amazing lessons that you can tap in and out of as it suits you. Thank you Rachael!

Prioritise Personal Time

It’s vital to cherish and protect your time outside of work. Evaluate how you spend your free time; are your activities fulfilling your needs or are they for the benefit of others? Let go of the notion of a perfect home. Instead of spending your evening cleaning, invest that time in activities that genuinely bring you joy, whether it’s exercising, meeting friends, or pursuing a hobby. Do something for YOU. For those of you who struggle with this, read this article by Donna McGeorge on ‘Don’t Feel Guilty for Prioritizing Yourself Over Work’ in the Harvard Business Review HERE.

Permit Yourself to Enjoy Life

Grant yourself the permission to put your needs first. If faced with a choice between doing household chores and doing something you love, choose the latter. Life isn’t about maintaining a spotless kitchen or a perfectly organized living room—it’s about finding moments of happiness and relaxation in your busy schedule. If you struggle with this, have a read of this article by Jordan Jones in the Huffington Post on ‘Why You Need to Give Yourself Permission to Be Happy’ HERE.

Remember, work-life balance isn’t about dividing your time evenly between work and personal life, but about having the flexibility to get things done in professional life while still having time and energy to enjoy personal life. It’s about making sure you don’t lose yourself in your administrative duties and that you carve out time for what truly matters to you. By taking these steps, you can create a balance that works for you and sustain a fulfilling career and personal life.

We love to hear what our community does or their tips on these topics. How do you achieve work-life balance? Please share your tips over on our LinkedIn page or email us on [email protected].