10 essential ways you can optimise your work/life balance as an international speaker
As a speaker in any industry or niche, if you spent a lot of time traveling around the world, meeting new people, and getting involved in lots of different projects, you’ll already know that it can so easily feel like you’re working all the time.
However, to keep your sanity and to minimize the risk of burnout, it’s vital you spend time making sure you’re optimizing your work/life balance.
Yet if you’re traveling all day, this is easier said than done.
With this in mind, today we’re going to explore the top ten tips to help you live a balanced lifestyle.
1. Dedicate contact time
Although most of your family and friends may be at home, thanks to the wonders of the internet there’s no reason why you can’t get in touch in a matter of minutes.
Make sure you’re dedicating time regularly and often to stay in touch and have a proper conversation where you can switch off from work and be yourself.
2. Don’t rely on gifts
Some parents feel bad for being away from their children for long periods of time, and as an apology, these parents are drawn into getting their children a present to make up for it.
While a present is a nice idea, and a good intention, it’s the memories your children have with you that will define your relationship, so make them.
3. Communication is key
When it comes to talking to your loved ones and partner, it’s so important you maintain a direct and honest line of communication.
Make sure you’re actually communicating how you feel to one another, and make sure you’re making time to spend talking to each other about life and yourself.
Nurture your relationships.
4. Use technology
“It’s important you remember that technology is such a prevalent thing in society and from voice calls to video calls, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch. Mix things up and see what works best for you and your family.” shares Jessica Gross, an author for Researchpapersuk and Last Minute Writing.
Maybe start a group chat with your family, or video call at the same time every week to have dedicated family time.
5. Be honest with your children
If you have children, you’ll already know how hard it can be to be away from them for long periods of time, and the chances are your children find it even harder.
With this in mind, make sure you’re being honest with them as to what’s going on, and hand in hand with the first point: contact them regularly.
6. Take a holiday
“You need to make sure you’re actually taking holiday time when you can to get away from the work and spend time with your loved ones.
Taking time to go on holiday with your family can be a great way for everyone to reconnect and to relax and get some much-needed rest” explains Henry Diaz, a regular contributor to Draftbeyond and Writinity.
7. Don’t forget about you
While we’re talking a lot about spending time with your loved ones, whether that’s your family, friends, children, or partner, you need to remember that you need to spend time on yourself.
This may seem counterproductive because you may work alone—but it’s important to rest alone as well.
8. Develop some hobbies
It’s all well and good coming home to rest and play and relax, but it’s good to have something you’re passionate about outside of work and your family.
Play an instrument, join a club, paint, play on a sports team—get involved in something that you enjoy.
9. Travel home and rest
Work travel can be absolutely exhausting, and although you’re probably excited to get home and spend time with your family and friends when you actually get through the door, it’s not uncommon that you’re going to feel exhausted.
With this in mind, there’s no harm in taking some time off yourself for a day or two—longer if you need it—to get your energy back and then allow you to spend proper time with your loved ones.
10. Minimise travel where possible
Of course, we all want to spend time with our loved ones at home, which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re being smart with travel and planning ahead so you’re spending as little time traveling as possible.
Another way to do this is to look at your work and see what you can change.
For example, if you’re based in the US, but you’re an international speaker, there may not be any harm only speaking in your home country for a month, then going abroad, and then your home country, rather than darting about all over the place all the time.
About the Author:
Oliver Portwood is a lifestyle writer at Lucky Assignments and Gum Essays. He enjoys writing on traveling entrepreneurs and business people and he regularly contributes articles to e-learning magazines and blogs.
