BALANCING SELF-CARE
AND HIGH AMBITIONS
By Ma. Rachell Ann Makayan
OH Nurse
Corporate HR
We all have ambitions. It is, after all, a very human trait to want to grow and be better. Ambition drives us to advance and accomplish our goals, helping us succeed in our careers and life. And of course, it feels great whenever our efforts are rewarded either by receiving material incentives, a promotion, or a simple “Good job!” from your team.
But, like anything else, ambition can only take you as far as it will. Pushing yourself to the extreme, overcommitting, and chasing one goal after another is not sustainable in the long run. Do that and you’ll find yourself running on your own fumes, exhausted, until you have nothing else to give.
Like anything else, there must be a balance between one’s ambition and well-being. Taking care of yourself will not only recharge your energy and enthusiasm, but will also allow you to appreciate and enjoy your achievements more.
Admittedly, finding work-life balance could be challenging. It takes effort and a lot of trying and adjusting, but it’s all for the good in the end. Here are some jumping-off points to help you find that sweet spot between work and enjoying life:
1. Manage your time: Create and use schedules to effectively manage your time during your workday. It doesn’t have to be a minute-by-minute rundown of all the things you need to do, a broad overview is often enough. Just remember that when you make your schedule, set realistic goals, putting priority on the most important and urgent tasks. This will allow you to complete all you need to accomplish and give your brain a stopping point when it needs to start disengaging from work.
2. Set boundaries: This second pointer goes hand-in-hand with the first one. Setting boundaries is probably the most important part of self-care, but it could be the hardest to do. Set clear boundaries – no work during the weekend, no checking of emails, messages, or chats beyond work hours – and stick to them. Setting limits separates your work life and your personal one, allowing you to give attention to each without the other taking more precedence.
3. Be mindful of your holistic health: Taking care of your holistic health – physical, mental, social, spiritual – is essential to coping with stress and achieving work-life balance. Eat well, include regular physical activities in your daily routine, get enough sleep, and treat rest not as a reward, but a necessity. Lastly, set aside time for activities that you enjoy like biking, gardening, or reading. Hobbies take your mind off of work and allow you to recharge, helping you achieve the ultimate work and life balance that you deserve.
These are just a few tips for you to start creating work-life balance. It’s a continuous process that needs to be examined and changed from time to time as your priorities, interests, and work life evolve. Be conscious of not just your work needs, but more importantly, mind the needs of your body as well.