Ten Ways to Balance Marriage and Career
A demanding and growing career can take a lot of time and energy. If you are not careful, it can have a negative impact on your marriage. It is important to find a healthy way to balance the two so that you can ensure that your marriage is nurtured.
1. Set priorities
Make a list of your top five priorities in life. Where does your career fall? How about your marriage? Then see how much time you spend on each of your priorities. Make sure your time and energy accurately reflect your priorities. For example, if you claim that your marriage is your top priority, how much time and energy do you spend on your marriage each week compared to the other things on the list?
2. Be reliable
Although your career will most likely demand that you be trustworthy, it is essential that your spouse can also depend on you. Stick to what you say and remember that your behaviors speak louder than words. If you say, “I’ll be home for dinner,” make sure you’re home for dinner.
3. Learn to say “No”
Saying “no” can sometimes be difficult. But if you want to balance a busy career with a happy marriage, it’s important to be able to do so. It may mean saying “no” when your boss asks you to take on an additional project. Or maybe it means learning to say “no” to family members who always want your help on the weekends. Saying “no” to other things means saying “yes” to your marriage.
4. Take care
It won’t do anyone any good if you don’t take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and exercise. See your doctor regularly and continue medical treatment. Taking care of yourself can help ensure that you can give the best of yourself to both your job and your spouse.
5. Take your free time seriously
Your free time can quickly and easily slip away if you’re not careful. An hour or two watching TV or a few minutes on the computer here and there can really add up. Take charge of your free time and make conscious decisions about how you want to spend it. Don’t waste your free hours doing things that you don’t really care about.
6. Leave work at the office
Don’t bring your work home with you physically or emotionally. If you’re upset from a long day at the office, don’t let it spill over into your time with your spouse. Instead, learn to leave your work behind at the end of the day. Also, be careful when working from home. Responding to emails, answering voice messages, and finishing a bit of work that wasn’t done at the office can really eat up your free time quickly. Set limits on the amount of work you will do at home. If you normally work from home, find ways to transition from your “work day” to your “home life” so the two don’t just mix.
7. Hold family reunions
Schedule meeting times to sit down with your spouse and go over the daily operations of the house. Decide who will do what during the week. For example, discuss who will take the kids to soccer, who will schedule the dog’s vet appointment, and how you are going to find time to make the most of that trip to Grandma’s house. Taking time to communicate the details can ensure that you are both on the same page and can avoid arguing later in the week when one of you is tempted to say, “You didn’t tell me that!”
8. Support your spouse’s career
If your spouse also works a demanding job or if your spouse is a full-time stay-at-home parent, support your spouse’s efforts. Acknowledge your spouse’s needs and try to make your spouse’s days less stressful. Offer to pack your spouse’s lunch, carry the laptop, or iron tomorrow’s outfit to show that you are not only involved in what you do, but you also care about your spouse’s career.
9. Do household chores together
Doing some chores together around the house can be a great way to have a good time. Whether you’re raking leaves, washing dishes, or cooking together, use it as an opportunity to talk and enjoy each other’s company. It will make your chores feel less of a burden and can help you feel like you are accomplishing something as a team.
10. Schedule time to have fun
Don’t forget to schedule a time to have fun. However, if you don’t schedule it, it is much less likely to happen. So be sure to set aside time to hang out. Also, try to plan at least one great adventure together each year. A weekend getaway or even an overnight trip can go a long way toward preserving your marriage.