Master Your Schedule and Reclaim Your Time: Proven Strategies for Balancing Demanding Workloads with a Healthy Life Outside the Office.
Research shows that 1 in 3 people feel overwhelmed by work, so it’s no surprise that achieving a work-life balance can be challenging. But here’s the thing: balance isn’t about splitting your time perfectly—it’s about making sure both work and personal life get the attention they deserve. Let’s talk about some easy ways to help you find that balance.
What Does a Work-Life Balance Even Mean?
Work-life balance basically means not letting work take over your life. You need time for yourself, your family, and the things you enjoy. When you get this right, you feel less stressed, healthier, and more productive. But can you really make this happen as an executive assistant? Definitely! It just takes some planning and knowing how to set boundaries.
How to Achieve Healthy Work-Life Balance as an EA
Here are some useful tips to achieve a healthy work-life balance as an EA:
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Use Calendar Management Software to Organize Meetings
Organizing meetings can be time-consuming. You often have to plan them at least a week in advance, and even then, things can go wrong if it’s not organized well. That’s where calendar management software like VAST comes in handy.
VAST is made specifically for executive assistants, so it’s more than just a regular calendar app. It lets you add all the details—like the agenda, location, and who’s attending—all in one place, so you don’t have to scramble around looking for information. Plus, it easily integrates with Google and Outlook.
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Set Boundaries for Availability
As an executive assistant, it’s easy to feel like you need to be on call all the time, but that’s not realistic. Start by deciding your working hours and make sure your team and executives know when you’re on and when you’re off.
Use your calendar to block out personal time, so it’s clear you’re not available for meetings. You can also set up phone and email auto-replies for after-hours, letting people know when you’ll be back to respond. And when you’re away, make it a point to disconnect from work completely. Turn off notifications, avoid checking messages, and focus on your personal life.
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Prioritize Urgent Tasks
There’s no doubt you have a lot to get done by the end of the day. That’s why prioritizing urgent tasks is a great way to make sure you finish what needs to be done without bringing work home. To figure out what should come first, try using the Eisenhower Matrix.
This tool helps you sort tasks into four categories:
- Urgent and important: These are your top priority tasks that cannot wait.
- Important but not urgent: These can be scheduled for later.
- Urgent but not important: These tasks can be delegated to someone else.
- Neither urgent nor important: These can be skipped or put on hold.
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Communicate Openly with Executives
Be open with your executive and let them know if your workload is getting too much or if you’re feeling stressed. If you need more time to finish something, just say so. Also, keep them in the loop about your availability. If you’ve set work hours, remind them when you’re around and when you’re not.
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Set Time for Self-Care
Make sure to schedule breaks throughout your day, even if it’s just a few minutes to stretch, grab a snack, or take a quick walk. This helps you relax, recharge, and will keep your stress levels down. Schedule this time off just like you would a meeting. Put them on your calendar so you don’t forget.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an EA is all about planning and setting clear boundaries. Use tools like VAST to manage your schedule, prioritize urgent tasks, and make time for self-care. Communicate openly with your executives, delegate tasks when you can, and don’t forget to disconnect after work hours. By doing all this, you can find the balance that works best for you and enjoy both your work and personal life.
Need help staying organized? Check out VAST, the ultimate software EA solution designed for executive assistants. With VAST, you can easily schedule meetings and keep everything in order—so you can take your well-deserved break with peace of mind.
