How to Make Your Workday Work for You

Boundaries? What boundaries? Since the pandemic, the membrane between jobs and home life has thinned. Hybrid and remote options offer more flexibility, but also more late-night catch-up sessions and opportunities for burnout.

Management and organization Clinical Professor Nicole Coomber studies work-life balance and said the two areas can “complement each other, rather than being in conflict.” The mom of four draws from personal and professional experience to offer four tips:

BREAK UP THE DAY
“Studies show the highest-level performers in anything, from sports to artistic endeavors, are only good for about 90 minutes maximum,” said Coomber. She recommends taking breaks and tackling other tasks to stay productive and creative.

RETHINK ASKING PERMISSION
If you struggle with kid pickup at 3 p.m., consider making it a late lunch break. “People have blocks on their calendars for all sorts of reasons,” she said. “Know your responsibilities, your organization’s policies and ask yourself if you need to reveal more than is necessary, as long as you’re getting things done.”

FOLLOW THE RULE OF THREES
“What are the three things I have to get done each day, each week, each month?” she said. That can help you prioritize as you decide whether to work on a Sunday so you can coach Little League later, or if you’re thrust into caregiving for an elderly parent and need to call in from a hospice center.

KNOW YOUR BODY
With email notifications ever-present, it can be hard to disengage after hours. Be aware of when you work best. “My husband likes the quiet time after the kids are in bed to read and think for 45 minutes without distractions,” said Coomber. “But I know my brain is mush after 9 p.m.”