The last few months have been a sprint. Times like that can impact the quality of both work and life, sparking the importance of margins—not the profit kind, though those are essential for business. We’re talking about creative margins for productivity: time to pause, recharge, and breathe.
These margins include time for breaks, thoughts, and creativity—activities like reading fiction, listening to your favorite record, or taking a walk with the dog. It’s about allowing space for benefits of creative downtime, which often lead to renewed energy and sharper focus.
As Steve Covey illustrates in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “effectiveness is a function of both production and the capacity to produce.” We need breaks to recharge, creating islands in our day, no matter how much we love our work. Otherwise, we risk becoming like that poor, golden egg-laying goose.
Finding Time for Creative Margins
So where do we find these margins? It’s not about cashing in rewards points or working 60 hours this week for a longer lunch break next week. It’s about intentionally making time and taking breaks for productivity. Here’s how:
- Read Short Stories: Keep a collection of short stories in your car or office. Unlike iPads or Kindles that can lead to distractions, a paper book provides focused escapism without the temptation of emails or social media.
- Walk with Your Dog: If you’re lucky enough to bring your pup to work, take advantage of their need for exercise. Walking Fido not only adds margin to your day but also boosts physical and mental health.
- Visit a Coffee Shop: Grab your journal or a magazine and visit a local coffee shop. The buzz of conversation and comfort of a good drink create the perfect environment for a brief mental reset.
- Schedule Margins Like Meetings: Block time on your calendar specifically for breaks. When your teammates see an open slot, they might fill it with tasks, but if you prioritize this time, you’ll be more likely to stick to it.
Strategies for Work-Life Balance
Achieving balance between work and life is not just about working fewer hours; it’s about making intentional decisions to create harmony. Here are some practical strategies:
1. Set Boundaries
Create clear distinctions between work time and personal time. For example, avoid answering work emails during family dinners or on weekends. Use tools like scheduling apps and the “Do Not Disturb” feature on Apple devices to block notifications during specific hours. With this function, you can silence calls, texts, and alerts, ensuring uninterrupted time for yourself or your loved ones.
2. Learn to Say No
Overcommitting often leads to stress and burnout. Politely declining tasks or projects outside your capacity helps you focus on what truly matters.
3. Prioritize Your Health
Healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep are essential for maintaining energy and focus. Consider incorporating brief yoga or meditation sessions into your day.
4. Delegate and Collaborate
Don’t feel the need to handle everything yourself. Delegating tasks at work or sharing responsibilities at home reduces your burden and helps build trust with your team and loved ones.
5. Practice Mindfulness
Being present in the moment allows you to fully enjoy personal time without being consumed by work stress. Mindfulness exercises can help train your mind to focus and relax.
The Big Picture
One of Shout Out Studio’s core ideas is Quality: life, work, and balance. These personal margins often lead to higher-quality work and better creative margins for productivity.
Many of us love our work, but we’re more than just our jobs. By intentionally creating space for relationships, hobbies, and downtime, you’ll feel better, produce better, and, as a bonus, improve those profit margins too.
Balancing work and life isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but with thoughtful strategies and a commitment to self-care, you can build a routine that nourishes both your career and your personal well-being.