Quality work, quality of life, or quality of compensation? According to Sally Hogshead’s Radical Truth #13 (from this book), you may only get to pick one or maybe two. So what do you choose to seek in your career choice?

What’s most important is that you find the work environment that you find fulfilling. Some careers (like advertising) can be extremely demanding and competitive. In my job, I am persistently zig-zagging from one deadline to the next and zeroing in on the next big idea that I can pitch.

I consider myself lucky to have found work that is rewarding, but that doesn’t follow me home after 5 p.m. each weekday. Seeking employment at an in-house agency within a family-owned company were conscious choices I made in my career path. And doing so has made work-life balance not only achievable, but part of the culture that we continue to foster within the company.

If you’re feeling work-life balance to be a bit elusive, here are a few tips to you started as you try to find your center of gravity.

1. Vacate the premises.

Hopefully your job offers paid time off. If you’ve earned it, don’t forget to use it. Go away, even if it’s not far, and break up your routine. Make some memories with your family. See a corner of the world you’ve always wanted to visit. Taking time off is vital to recharge your batteries and maintain your zest for life, including all the things you love about your job.

2. Set boundaries.

Make it clear when people can get in touch with you. If you respond to text messages, emails and phone calls at 11 p.m. then people will assume you’re at their beck-and-call. Most of the time, it can wait. It’s great to talk about your communication practices, if you can, to help set expectations with your boss, coworkers and subordinates. Even if you don’t vocalize these boundaries, by sticking to them it will become understood with time.

3. Define your life.

It may sound like a silly exercise, but try writing down a paragraph that explains who you are, what you do and what’s important to you. Then sit back and evaluate what you jotted down. Check to make sure you are finding some self-identity in things outside of work. In fact, when I interview to hire new team members I always ask, “What do you do in your free time?” The answer is often telling.

4. Call it quits.

If you’re truly unhappy in your job, don’t stick around. You’ll be better off for it. Besides, your unhappiness probably isn’t doing your boss or the business any favors. Take the leap – resign and find a place that shares your values.

The bottom line is that you have a choice. Decide what you want your life to look like and go after it. Your work life and your personal life don’t have to be at odds with one another. Success is found when you thrive in both.

Posted on 2/3/2014

Written by Meredith Mathews

Meredith Mathews is Creative Director at Half Price Books, America’s largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain. Fourth generation SMU alum, she graduated from the Temerlin Advertising Institute. She is a copywriter, designer and strategist. Meredith’s favorite things in life are spending time with family, autumn breezes, snow-capped mountains, stringed instruments, hats, and baking. You can follow her on Twitter at @msquare21.

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