Introduction
Are you looking to achieve a better work-life balance this year? Maybe your daily commute is wearing you out, or your demanding workload is putting a strain on your personal relationships. Or perhaps you’re envious of others who seem to have found a way to balance their personal commitments with their work life. If so, you’re not alone.
The Path to Work-Life Harmony
Achieving work-life balance involves a blend of time management, dedication, and prioritization. It entails figuring out the right balance of professional and personal activities that will bring you the satisfaction you seek. Here are 18 inspiring quotes to help you on your journey towards work-life harmony.
Find Inspiration for Achieving Work-Life Balance
Learning from those who have successfully achieved a healthy work-life balance can be a great motivator to set better boundaries for yourself. It’s essential to make time for personal growth, nurture relationships, and advance your career simultaneously. To help you on your journey, we’ve compiled some of our favorite quotes to inspire you.
1. Michelle Obama: Self-Prioritization
“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list.” —Michelle Obama, former First Lady
2. Dolly Parton: Making a Life
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” —Dolly Parton, Singer
3. Victor Bretting: Time Management
“Consistently working late is not necessarily a sign of a hard worker, but rather the inability to use time wisely.” —Victor Bretting, Entrepreneur
4. Gary Keller: The Fragility of Life Aspects
“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls—family, health, friends, and integrity—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” —Gary Keller, Real Estate Entrepreneur
5. Zig Ziglar: Success and Home Life
“You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” —Zig Ziglar, Motivational Speaker
6. Time and Regret
“No one on his deathbed ever said, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.’” —commonly attributed to politician Paul Tsongas or Rabbi Harold Kushner
7. Stephen Covey: Urgency vs. Importance
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” —Stephen Covey, Author, and Businessman
8. Sydney J. Harris: Regret
“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” —Sydney J. Harris, Journalist
9. Anna Quindlen: Prioritizing Family
“When in doubt, choose the kids. There will be plenty of time later to choose work.” —Anna Quindlen, Author
10. Betsy Jacobson: Boundary Management
“Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management.” —Betsy Jacobson, Author, and Businesswoman
11. Regina Brett: Making Childhood Memorable
“Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.” —Regina Brett, Author
12. Shinichi Suzuki: Parental Influence
“Children learn to smile from their parents.” —Shinichi Suzuki, Musician and Educator
13. Stephen R. Covey: Investing Time
“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” —Stephen R. Covey, Author
14. Michael Altshuler: Time as Your Resource
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” —Michael Altshuler, Motivational Speaker, and Sales Consultant
15. Carl Sandburg: Time as Your Coin
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” —Carl Sandburg, Poet
16. Art Buchwald: The Only Time You’ve Got
“Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.” —Art Buchwald, Humorist
17. Thomas Edison: Time as Capital
“Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” —Thomas Edison, Inventor
18. Mother Teresa: Changing the World Starts at Home
“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” —Mother Teresa, Nun, and Missionary
Establishing Stronger Boundaries
While everyone’s situation is unique, creating boundaries in your life that only you can establish is a common theme. This includes taking time out during the week to volunteer in your child’s class or prioritizing sunrise yoga. Analyzing the areas of your life that you truly want to prioritize is an excellent way to start, and then incorporating them into your time management priorities. If you’re a sunrise yoga enthusiast but can’t attend due to your commute, consider requesting a flexible schedule from your employer several days a week.
Suppose you’re looking to find more time to spend with your children? Many parents have found that hybrid schedules are the perfect solution. They can devote one-on-one time to their children that they didn’t have before by eliminating the time spent commuting.
Determine what activities make you feel the most relaxed and joyful. Then, evaluate whether you’re dedicating enough time to them. A flexible job has helped many individuals achieve the ideal work-life balance, allowing them to prioritize work and home life in ways that suit their circumstances.
