Working from home enables many people to better reconcile private and professional life. But very few succeed in separating the two worlds. Expert Felix Thönnessen gives tips for a healthy work-life balance.
We do workation, hold meetings in the living room and the children are entertained between two deliveries. Our work and private modes are becoming more and more blurred. Before Corona there was (usually) a clear separation of work (office) and life (home). There are now apps that remind us to turn off our cell phones.
Now save articles for later in “Pocket”.
And now it’s getting exciting: Around 80 percent say they have a better work-life balance thanks to their home office. But half say they find it harder to differentiate between the two. The balance is unstable.
Felix Thönnessen, born in 1980, is an entrepreneur and investor. For 15 years he has been supporting entrepreneurs in their self-employment. For four years he coached startups from the Vox start-up show “Die Höhle der Löwen” and wrote eight books.
We all have our times when we are at our most productive, creative, and communicative. For some it’s 6 a.m. (yes, these people exist!), for others it’s 10 p.m. (there have to be those too).
Personally, I like to start the day at 10 a.m. Before that I went for a walk in the woods with my dog Theo, drank my protein shake and thought about what the day had to offer. I start much more relaxed and full of energy and I am ready for everything that comes.
“The pocket mentor: Act boldly. Live successfully” by Felix Thönnessen
Many of us used to commute – be it by train or car. Many had to put up with an hour’s drive (one way!). This time is completely eliminated with the home office. And exactly this time can be used for the free or the me time – this results in a better balance.
The kids have to be at school by 8 and actually you have to start work at 8? Difficult. Stress determines the morning to deliver on time.
With flexible working hours, you can also better coordinate private appointments. The flexibility eliminates certain stress factors and you are more balanced.
The child is ill and has to be picked up from the day care center immediately? Your best friend spontaneously got hold of tickets for your favorite band? With flexible working hours, that shouldn’t be a problem. Because the daily routine is generally much more agile, the “hard system” does not have to be subjected – as long as the work gets done.
An important point in all of this: the will of the managers! According to the “Initiative Chefsache” study, 39 percent of managers say that being present at the workplace is important for professional success. How can that be? If I trust my employees, I don’t care where they do their job from.
Personally, I would like to increase the intrinsic motivation of my employees. So focus on reasons for working such as meaning, interest and your own values. Because when my employees are balanced, so am I. Why not actively do something for happiness? For example, offering sports programs or organizing regular (online) team meetings.
Of course, I am aware that there are many professions for which home office, work or a 35-hour week is not an option at all. Adapting to the biorhythm is a nice idea, but only for as long as you can.
For all jobs in which it is possible, it is the duty of managers to position themselves correctly and to give employees the freedom they need. We now know that the balance between work and leisure time is the symbol of our well-being. Means: If you have a good work-life balance, we feel fitter, are happier and less ill.
The more flexible forms of work (if they are given) offer a lot of opportunities to restructure one’s (working) life. Self-determination is the keyword here.
Of course, topics such as a healthy diet, exercise and rest periods should not be underestimated. And the private and family events always play a major role.
But with the help of the flexibility we have gained, it is possible to restructure our lives with good time management in such a way that we are more balanced and happier.
