1. Step away from the email
Earlier this year, a report circulated that a French law banned employees from checking work emails after 6pm. It wasn’t true but fitted with our notion of the French as a nation of slackers…
“It would be impossible to enforce,” says Leeds-based life coach Melanie Allen. “But companies should think about productivity…”
2. Just say no
If you’re available 24/7 to your boss’s demands, try harnessing the power of no…
3. Work smarter, not harder
Output = unit of work / hour × hours worked. Productivity matters just as much as hours logged…
4. Leave work at work
Before leaving, write a note listing outstanding tasks. “Shut the diary, turn off your PC, store your message and leave it.”
5. Forget about perfection
“Good enough versus fabulous.” Sometimes what you’ve done may not be perfect, but it is good enough.
6. Don’t be a martyr
“To feel like a martyr gives some people a great deal of pleasure — they feel powerful and busy.” But it’s exhausting to be around.
7. Ease off the adrenaline
Monitor your need for adrenaline. Those hooked on it hop from one rush to another — and eventually crash.
8. Think about retirement
Ask yourself: if work is the only thing you do, what happens when you lose your job or retire? Build interests outside of work now.
9. Make ’em wait
Make it clear you’ll reply to emails within 24–48 hours. “It’s surprising how little this bothers people.”
10. Set your own rules
Ignore the “shoulds” from others. You need to find your own work-life balance, relying on your own intuition.