Are you a PA struggling to achieve a healthy work-life balance? Then you’re not alone. Most permanent and temporary PA jobs and executive assistant jobs involve working very long hours, even requiring PAs to be on call outside of business hours. Whilst most PAs know from the outset that it’s not a 9-5 role, most would love to bring some sense of normalcy back into their lives. We’re one of London’s top PA recruitment agencies, so we know our fair share about the life of a PA. Here’s how to achieve a work-life balance as a PA.
You can say no (sometimes)
You may not be able to say no to your boss, but from time to time you can probably say no to colleagues who may be able to do the work themselves. If you’re driven to succeed in PA or EA jobs, you might feel like you have to say yes to everything in order to impress, but this isn’t the case. If you’re working incredibly long hours and are struggling to achieve a work-life balance, then you need to prioritise your work. If you’re missing out on spending time with friends and family because you’re completing tasks that others should be doing, then you probably need to say no more often.
Schedule scrupulously
If you’re working in temporary or permanent PA jobs, or even in receptionist jobs, you’re no doubt already accustomed to scheduling your day. Efficient and effective scheduling is essential if you want to achieve any sort of work-life balance. Plan your work and then work your plan, always prioritising key tasks. An electronic or paper planner is the vehicle by which you can convert your daily objectives into reality. Set aside 10 minutes at the beginning of each day, or the night before, to plan your activities for the day.
Don’t bring your work home with you
Working long hours is part and parcel of all office support jobs, but when you do eventually leave work for the day, try your best not to bring your work home with you. This refers to physical work, such as paperwork, but also the work that’s in your mind. This includes tasks that you need to complete, and things that you need to tell your boss. This is often easier said than done, but if you can master this, it will help you to achieve a much better work-life balance.
Know when to ask for help
PA jobs and executive assistant jobs can be physically and mentally challenging, and it’s not unusual for people working in these roles to feel overwhelmed and stressed. If you are feeling like this, don’t suffer in silence. Explain your situation to your boss, and this is the only way that things will change for the better. They may be able to alleviate some of the pressure that you’re experiencing.
Take care of your health
When you’re racing through clerical tasks at lightning speed and rushing to the dry cleaners to pick up your boss’s best suit in time for an important meeting, it’s understandable that your health is not at the forefront of your mind. However, it’s important to remember that it should always be your number one priority. If you’re not in good shape physically and mentally, your work and personal life will begin to suffer. Eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. This is essential for your work-life balance.
Making some of these changes can have a positive and measurable impact on your life, helping you to achieve a healthy work-life balance. You’ll find that it is possible to work in demanding permanent PA jobs or EA jobs, and a have a fulfilling personal life too. To find top PA jobs and office support jobs in London, contact our team at Love Success. Love Success is a leading recruitment agency in London and we’ve been placing candidates in the right office support jobs for many years.
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