Work life balance. We’ve all seen it. In office emails, motivational posters at the hallways, even in some company’s mission-vision, people use this buzzword left and right.

Has anyone honestly achieved it? I bet not (except perhaps those in monotonous dead-end jobs, if those even exist). In this time of age, something has always got to give. Sad fact but true. I’m not complaining though. I am done having whining as my sport and I have long agreed to give “balance” a rest. I’m on to the more realistic “work life integration” paradigm. Here’s how I do it.

• Delegate. No one should underestimate the power of delegation, especially when you work with a team. Whether it’s the peer at work or the house nanny, one should learn to delegate tasks. Delegation helps me work smarter, not harder.

• Stop being a perfectionist. I am definitely guilty on this department and I blame it on the Middle Child Syndrome, hahaha. Being a perfectionist makes one feel more tired and anxious on almost anything one does. Now, I let go of some of the small details, I no longer sweat the small stuff. Setting realistic expectations for yourself and your family/colleagues also helps.

• Learn to say no. This perhaps is one of the most important tool to achieve a good life. It is such a strong word that one must say if one will end up getting so worked up that there’s no time and energy left to fulfill other obligations.

• Practice “technology sunset”. This is one term I’ve seen in a blog before (sorry but I could no longer locate and remember the blog). Basically it tells us that one should set a time where we turn off all our devices and just enjoy the rest of the night, just like how the sun does it everyday for us. You may be home early from work but too busy working on your Blackberries or Androids, instead of having  meaningful conversations with your loved ones. One practice I try to religiously do is putting my Blackberry on sleep mode once I get to our bed. This lessens the distractions at night.

• Have a flexible work schedule. I’m lucky to have a work that allows me to leave at three in the afternoon and just continue  work in the evening so I can make it to my doctor’s appointment, without having to file a day off from work. I also get to work from home when I’m having some renovations at home. Go find a work schedule that fits your needs.

• Have a good laugh. A good sense of humor never fails to keep me sane in the everyday chaos we experience. Make sure you find time to chat with a friend, your sister or your mom every now and then. A good laugh can make all the difference.

Photo credit: http://www.the-means-of-life.blogspot.com