Career Road Map: Reflect, Reset, and Plan Your Next Step. Week 6, December 29, 2024.

" Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." — Dolly Parton.

Welcome to the final week of the Career Road Map challenge and the last week of 2024.

The Raod Map challenge activities so far have addressed career growth, values and beliefs, feedback, networking, and personal branding. All the activities were designed to inspire mid-career professionals to reflect on their career development in 2024 and prepare for the upcoming year.

This week's Raod Map challenge focuses on work-life balance. Interestingly, the holiday season may have given you the chance to step away from your work environment and relax with family and friends. I trust that you maximised this valuable time.

As a mid-career professional, you might be juggling increased responsibilities at home and work which can often lead to unhealthy work-life balance. While this is not an ideal situation, there are incremental steps you can take to change this in the coming year.

Based on a survey by Michael Page, 56% of professionals cited work-life balance as the most significant influencer of job satisfaction. This high percentage underscores the importance of this topic. Therefore, it is important that you reflect on your work-life balance as you navigate your career choices.  

The Road Map challenge activity around work-life balance will include inspiring quotes, reflective questions, and an action plan. By participating in this challenge, mid-career professionals will gain a new perspective on their work-life balance, and commit to making improvements in the coming year.

Let's start with this quote from Michelle Obama.

Take care of yourself: When you don't, it affects your performance, your energy, and your ability to balance work and life.

Reflective questions

These four questions will help you with your reflection.

• How would you describe your current work-life balance?

• What caused you the most distraction this year? What actions did you implement to eliminate or minimise these distractions?

• What self-care activities did you do?

• What aspect of your work-life balance would you like to improve next year? 

Action Plan

Create your work-life balance schedule for 2025. You can consider these six factors:

1. Working Hours: How many hours a week will you be committing to your work?

2. Hobbies: How much time can you set aside for your hobbies?

3. Relationships: How much time do you want to commit to nurturing and maintaining your relationships with family and friends?

4. Self-Care: What will be your self-care routine? Schedule time for relaxation, pampering, spirituality, personal development, and exercise. Remember to always put on your oxygen mask first.

5. Boundaries: What boundaries would you like to establish? These can include bedtime or a time to disconnect from your digital devices or TV.

6. Distractions: Which of your distractions can you eliminate or reduce? This will help enhance your focus and productivity.

Final words

I hope you found the Road Map challenge activity insightful. It would be great to hear about your experience. I trust the experience would have helped you to identify the actions and behaviours that you need to:

Stop Start Continue

By committing to the stop-start-continue approach, you are more likely to attain a healthier work-life balance in 2025. This can help you increase your productivity, reduce your stress levels, and create a more fulfilling life

As you start the new year, I wish you success with your career transition. Bear in mind that a successful career transition requires time, commitment, and guidance.

I would be pleased to support you with your career journey. Together, we can achieve greater outcomes. Let's chat when you are ready.

Keep Moving with confidence towards your goals.

 I wish you success with your career transition in 2025.

Regards

Pamela Odukoya

Career Coach