How can we find balance in life when we are constantly juggling multiple responsibilities?

By Meagan Johnston, Extension Assistant Professor

Balancing life’s demands can be challenging, especially when managing work, family, and personal interests. In fact, balancing work duties and family responsibilities is an ongoing struggle for many American adults (Rangaswami, 2021). Finding a healthy balance is not about achieving perfection but making intentional choices that align with your values and priorities. Here are five practical steps to help you find balance and effectively manage your daily demands:

1. Prioritize Your Time: Determine what is most important to you. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey wisely said, "Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you" (Covey, 1989). By prioritizing your tasks and responsibilities, you can focus on what truly matters and let go of what doesn't.
2. Practice Self-Care: Regular self-care is essential for maintaining balance. As Dr. Matt Glowiak emphasizes, "Self-care is an important activity to do every day. Doing so will lead to a better balance among your dimensions of wellness and lead toward improved overall health and wellness. Life is precious, and it is meant to be enjoyed" (Glowiak, 2022). Engage in activities that recharge your energy, such as physical exercise, hobbies, meditation, or simply resting. This daily practice helps you stay grounded and manage other areas of your life more effectively.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Avoid the trap of trying to do everything. As suggested by the National Society of Leadership and Success (2024), breaking down larger, lengthier goals into smaller, manageable tasks and creating a timeline for each can ensure you're on the right track to achieving your goal. This approach helps you avoid procrastination, keeps your motivation alive, and makes big goals feel less overwhelming. Setting achievable goals and taking them step by step can reduce stress and boost your sense of accomplishment without overextending yourself.
4. Learn to Say No: Understanding your limits and learning to say no to additional commitments is crucial for maintaining balance. As Hinton, McReynolds, Martinez, Shuler, and Termini (2020) highlight, saying no can be a powerful way to set boundaries and maintain your well-being. It’s okay to decline requests that don’t align with your priorities or that would overwhelm you.
5. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Whether by delegating tasks at work or seeking assistance from family and friends, sharing responsibilities can help ease your burden and maintain balance.

For further insights on achieving balance by focusing on what truly matters, consider reading Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. This book explores the concept of doing more by doing less, which can provide additional strategies for finding balance in your life (McKeown, 2014).

References

Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Free Press.

Glowiak, M. (2022, December 7). What is self-care and why is it important for your health? Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care 

Hinton, A. O. Jr., McReynolds, M. R., Martinez, D., Shuler, H. D., & Termini, C. M. (2020). The power of saying no. EMBO Reports, 21(7), e50918. https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202050918 

McKeown, G. (2014). Essentialism: The disciplined pursuit of less. Crown Business.

Rangaswami, A. (2021). Work-life balance and satisfaction with family life: A methodological analysis. Silicon Valley Sociological Review, 19(1), Article 8.

The National Society of Leadership and Success. (2024). Goal setting techniques. https://www.nsls.org/goal-setting-techniques