If there’s one thing that causes more problems for the average working adult than any other, it’s probably finding–and maintaining–a good work-life balance. If you’re working more than you’re comfortable with, then you’re likely to end up stressed, unhappy, and burnt-out. If you’re not working enough, then you’re going to end up in deep trouble with your boss. So how do you walk the tight-rope to achieve a good work-life balance? Here are five strategies to help.

Make Your Own Space

This one is important! Don’t make the mistake of being “at work” 24/7. Too many people are in contact at all times, always answering phone calls and work e-mails. If your private life is always being interrupted and you might have to work any minute, is it really your time? Granted, in some jobs this is less of an option than others…but it’s certainly something worth thinking about.

Work Smart, Not Long

This is a piece of advice that comes from the Mental Health Foundation, and they’ve got a point. Working long, unproductive hours can be terrible for your mental health, and can stretch out projects and ruin budgets. If you focus on your efficiency instead of your hours and look at ways to streamline your workflow, you can get more done for less and get that work-life balance working for you.

Give Yourself a Break

Sometimes, it pays to remember that not everything needs to be perfect. High standards are great, sure, but if the task you’re working on is fairly minor, don’t kill yourself to over-perform. An important part of work life is prioritizing tasks and the amount of time you spend on them.

Make Goals for Yourself

Obviously, working too hard is rough, and a lot of the time it’s important to take a step back. But let’s be honest, it can be easy to slack off too much, and work will suffer as a result. Make sure you’ve always got career goals you’re moving towards, and you can’t go wrong.

Set Your Own Rules

At the end of the day, your work situation and experience is unique to you. Advice is great, but it only goes so far. Experiment, evaluate and explore your situation. You might be surprised by the result!

Lastly, if you’re a business owner noticing an uneven work-life balance, consider upgrading your equipment or hiring more staff so you can delegate! Contact JNI Lending for funding to upgrade your business today.