Habits for a Happy Work Life - Business Insight - Canon Singapore

    Habits for a Happy Work Life

    Habits for a Happy Work Life

    By Vincent Low

    We’ve talked at length about various ways and means to succeed professionally in a workplace. It is heartening to work with people who strive to be the best at what they do. That said, many of us who are passionate about our job tend to get carried away. Sometimes, it’s important to take a step back to consider the other factors you neglect when your sole focus is a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

    I’m a firm believer in practising work-life balance. Having reiterated the importance of managing workplace-induced stress, and shared tips on maintaining productivity without compromising on personal life, I want to shed light on the personal choices we can make to manage work-life balance a little better.

    Prioritise “me-time”

    First and foremost, it is imperative that you get to know yourself. I say this because many of us tend to get swept up by their careers and end up losing themselves in their professional lives. Ask yourself – what matters to you? When it comes to your family, perhaps you’d like to pick your kids up from school every day, or indulge in a romantic dinner with your partner on Fridays? Do you function better after a morning jog or a quick lunchtime yoga session?

    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to a balanced and fulfilling life, so you cannot possibly expect others to figure that out on your behalf. We all have interests beyond our professional lives that we need to prioritise, and when necessary, communicate with our employers or employees on what balance means to them.

    Know your strengths & weaknesses

    Truth is, nobody’s perfect and we know this. So why do so many people strive to do so many things at once? A ‘go-getter’ attitude won’t get you far if you’re biting off more than you can chew. Focus on your what you’re good at and delegate the rest. Instead, identifying you and your team’s strengths will save you precious time and energy, allowing you to be more efficient in the process.

    When you eliminate the tasks that you simply cannot wrap your head around, you’ll have time to focus on important issues or work on what you want to improve on instead. Once you’re clear on where your strengths lie, learning to say ‘no’ when necessary positions you as someone confident of your abilities, rather than a mere people pleaser.

    Cultivate a strong support network

    No man is an island; everyone has a fundamental need to surround ourselves with a network we can depend on. Sometimes, just having a close friend or colleague to confide in can go a long way toward achieving sanity in the face of distress. It is no secret that maintaining quality ties and relationships naturally translates to a more balanced personal life.

    In many ways, I see the workplace as a social place, where members of staff are more likely to perform when they remain engaged on a personal and professional level. Here at Canon, we emphasise the importance of cultivating lasting relationships through regular social activities. From Yoga classes to running sessions, we encourage our staff to take time off their schedules to interact and bond, fostering stronger ties to the organisation.

    Habits for a Happy Work Life

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