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LIFESTYLE

Adjusting your work-life balance

We’re pleased to provide you with insights like these from Boston Private. Boston Private is now an SVB company. Together we’re well positioned to offer you the service, understanding, guidance and solutions to help you discover opportunities and build wealth – now and in the future.

Six Ideas for discovering and prioritizing what matters

It may be no surprise that the U.S. ranks #30 out of 38 countries in work-life balance and that 66% of full-time employees do not strongly believe they have a work-life balance.1

How we work is ever-evolving. The good news is, we can also evolve our approach to achieving a better work-life balance.

What steps can you take to achieve a better balance?

The six tips below from Business News Daily can help you create a better work-life balance.2

1. Accept that there is no perfect work-life balance.

Instead of a perfect schedule, aim for a realistic one. Some days, you'll get more work done, other days, your family's needs will take priority. Stay flexible so you can adapt to what the day brings.

2. Set your priorities and align your time with them.

Ask yourself, "If I could only focus on one thing right now, what would it be?" That answer is your top priority. If you find yourself spending time on things that don't align with your priorities, eliminate or delegate them.

3. Make your health a priority.

  • Get plenty of sleep and exercise to increase your energy, relieve stress, clear your mind and ultimately become more productive. Even if it just means taking a walk around the block, you'll find that exercise can help you face family and personal commitments with renewed vigor.
  • Take periodic breaks during the workday to reserve energy for family in the evening
  • Practice mindfulness to tap into additional energy, creativity and problem-solving abilities

4. Set boundaries.

Technology can often blur the line between your work and personal life. Turn off your devices at times that are important for your family and let the key people in your life, including your work team, know you’ll be back in touch later.

  • Learn to say “no” – or “yes, but …”
  • Devote your peak energy times to the most important tasks on your daily list
  • Think twice before scheduling more meetings. Decide which meetings can be replaced with a conference call or email and cancel them
  • Consider business travel carefully. If possible, leverage virtual technology and other alternatives to reduce travel time.
  • Establish meeting-free days and use the time to complete assignments, work on creative projects or problem solve tasks that require your full attention

5. Know that it's okay to unplug.

About 33% of U.S. adults work on an average Saturday, Sunday or holiday.3 Employees who are expected to work in their off-hours have higher stress and cortisol levels during the day.4 That's why it's so important to unplug. Giving yourself frequent time to decompress, unwind and reevaluate can help reduce the risks associated with job burnout.

6. Make time for yourself and your family.

Whether it's gathering together for at least one meal each day, hosting a game night or devoting your weekends to doing activities together, one of employees' biggest regrets is not making enough time for their families.

According to SVB Private's recent WHY of Wealth Report: Even those who appear to "have it all" in terms of financial and business success, still regret not having more family time. In fact, more than a third of the people surveyed (35%) cited spending more time with family as the number one thing they would have done differently had they not devoted so much time to accumulating wealth.5

Renaud Megard is one of them. The father of four was a successful, hard-charging executive for an international corporation. He flew so frequently to destinations all over the world, that the flight attendants "began calling me by my first name. That was a hint that I was traveling too much," said Megard. But it wasn't until his daughter graduated from high school that he became acutely aware of all he had been missing.

"When I saw that my second child was going to college, I realized that – wow, I barely know her." That realization, he says, drove him to re-evaluate his priorities and "recalibrate" his situation to "think about what was important in my life."

His soul-searching led him to the decision to get off the corporate track and purchase a small business close to home, where he could also fulfill his life-long passion to be an entrepreneur. Today, with his new priorities firmly in place, he enjoys a deeper connection with his children as he grows his new business.

"Now my favorite part of the day is having breakfast with my kids and sending them off to school because they give me the positive energy I need to be ready for anything during that day," boasts Megard. As a result, he says, "I love my life ten times more than before." Hear Megard tell his story in his Why of Wealth video on SVBPrivate.com.

Work smarter, not harder.

The recent shift to remote working has made the lines between work and home life blur even more. With 72% of white-collar U.S. workers saying that they have worked from home during October 2020 and April 2021 -- according to a Gallup poll—there's no better time to make a work-life balance a priority.6

How SVB Private can help

Your SVB Private Wealth Advisor can be a valuable resource as you work to maintain the all-important balance between work life and home life. For example, he or she can work with your other advisors to take a holistic approach to wealth management that integrates your investing, retirement, and estate and legacy planning activities; reflects your business and personal goals; and saves you considerable time and energy.

In addition, our Family Office services can relieve you from the day-to-day details of personal accounting, tax accounting, budgeting and cash flow management, bill paying, insurance, and other money matters to free up time you can spend with your family.

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Important Disclosures

Opinions and data are as of the date of this article and are subject to change.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past Performance is no guarantee of future results.

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. This material should not be construed as research or investment advice and is subject to change at any time. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and are subject to change. The information in this article has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable; however, SVB makes no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy. 

References to markets, asset classes, and sectors are generally regarding the corresponding market index. Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. 

Any investment strategies or ideas discussed in this material are for information purposes only. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objective, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market. SVB recommends that investors independently evaluate specific investments and strategies and encourages investors to consult with their own financial and/or other professional advisors before making any financial decisions. 

Investment products mentioned herein, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds may lose value and carry investment risks. Asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing do not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets.

The Chief Investment Office (CIO) provides thought leadership on market commentary, wealth management, investment strategy, and portfolio management. The CIO Notes and market commentary are developed for SVB Private. 

The materials on this website are for informational purposes only, are subject to change and do not take into account your particular investment objective, financial situation or need. Since each client’s situation is unique, you should consult your financial advisor and/or tax planning professional before acting on any information provided herein.