Work/life balance has become more challenging for those working from home. But why?

Norms have changed. Since Covid, work and personal time have blurred more than ever. I often receive business emails late at night and on weekends. I, too, fell into a routine of breaking for dinner with the family, then heading back to my desk. And I worked many weekends as well. 

At one point, my husband – who works super long hours every day, but never on weekends – spoke up.

“Everyone needs a break,” he said. No matter how intense his workweek is, my husband always takes the weekend to regroup. 

I finally scheduled a four-day break and I’m so glad I did. I feel refreshed, and I have since returned to my pre-established office hours of 9:30 to 5:30. Balance is a good thing. 

If you struggle with work boundaries, take a look at the recommendations below.

1. Set Your Hours and Stick to Them. Work emails will come in the evening or on the weekend, but you do not need to answer immediately. When a client emails during off hours, it means they are working. You’re not required to. Be grateful they’re putting work into your queue.

2. Use Technology. If you do decide to work on a night or weekend, consider using an email delivery tool that allows you to schedule when emails will be sent. This is great for staying “under the radar” during evenings and weekends. Clients will receive emails at your time of choice when you use the email scheduling function available in certain email accounts like Gmail and Outlook.

3. Manage Expectations. When working with a new client, set expectations from the start. Let them know your working hours. Ensure that you regularly scan for emergencies and answer emails within 24 hours on weekdays.

4. Optimize Your Energy. We all tend to have an optimal time of day when we’re firing on all cylinders (feeling most awake and clear-headed). This is a great time to tackle complicated tasks. If you start a complex project and get frustrated, step away and return to it the next day at your optimal time.

Bottom Line: There will always be times when it’s important to start early and work late, just don’t let it become a way of life.