Why do people burn out harder and more often at home? Doesn't it seem a little counter-intuitive? After all, being at home is more controlled, more peaceful, and is certainly more comfortable, so why do people burn out so easily and so often? In most cases, it is because they push themselves way too hard. They do it in bursts, and they burn out. This is all because they are getting their work-life balance wrong. Here is advice from Resumeble on how you get it right. 

Keep Going When You Are On A Roll

If you are a Jack Nicholson fan, you will have seen the movies “The Shining” and “As Good As It Gets.” In both movies, he plays a struggling writer who really “REALLY” hates being interrupted. He hates it because he knows the value of being on a roll. 

This is a situation where the work is flowing from you like cheap wine. It is frantic, it is productive, and it often feels great. However, it is very difficult to get onto a roll where you are working with 100% efficiency, and even a slight distraction can derail your progress. Nevertheless, if you are ever on a roll, then keep working, forget your breaks, and even forget your bedtime, until your roll starts to slow.

Stop As You Start To Slow

Once you are on a roll and you start to feel yourself slowing down, that is when it is time to take a break. It may seem counter-intuitive in that you are forsaking your break times and even your bedtime when you are on a roll, but part of a good work-life balance is the ability to prioritize one side over the other. Sometimes your home life is going to come first, and sometimes your work is going to come first. 

Think of it this way, would you rather work hard on while on a roll and blow off a few home-life elements, or work slowly while not on a roll, work extended hours to keep pace, and still miss your home-life stuff? 

Distractions Are Fine So Long As They Are Of Your Own Making

Ignore the articles online that say you need a distraction-free area. Humans are great, and they are so great that they can find distractions. People in solitary confinement can find things to do, so you should have no problem finding ways to waste time. If you are being distracted by yourself, then everything is fine. 

However, if you want a good work-life balance, you need to make it clear to your family and friends that “work time is alone time.” When people see you in your office, garage, or workshop, they see you like somebody to help move groceries, fix lights, or talk to cousin Jimmy about not having a job at age 25. Your kids figure that you are more interesting than the other parent, so they come in and harass you. It is imperative that everybody understands that your work time is sacrosanct and that you will not tolerate interruptions except under extreme circumstances. 

Final Note - Be Flexible But Dedicated

Do not be afraid to break your own rules. You know in your own mind when you are breaking your rules to make your life easier, compared to breaking the rules because you are being lazy. There are times when breaking your own rules can be very beneficial to your state of mind. Just make sure that breaking the rules is an occasional occurrence and not a habit, otherwise, you will find yourself working into the late hours and snacking during times when you are supposed to be productive.