Entrepreneur Middle East January 2016 | The Collector's Edition

Page 66

CULTURE

business unusual | LIFE | TRAVEL | DESIGN | TRAPPINGS

Tip the scales in your favor IN 2016 Achieve work-life balance as an entrepreneur

By Suhail Al-Masri

I

t is that time of the year again. The time to not just eat, drink and be merry, but also to make New Year’s resolutions. A very popular New Year resolution professionals make in the Middle East is to achieve a better work-life balance. According to a regional poll by Bayt.com on the top New Year resolutions among professionals in the Middle East, 12.8% said they want to spend more time with family and friends; 11.8% said they want to work out more; 9.2% said they want to take more vacations; and 5.6% said they want to meet new people.

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Entrepreneur january 2016

busiest of entrepreneurs strike a balance between personal and professional life. 1. Be clear about your priorities Take some time to revisit your values and priorities, and understand what really matters to you most. Is it money, and if so, how much do you really want or need? Is it time with family and friends? Is it freedom to pursue hobbies and interests? Is it accelerated professional growth and recognition? Once you have come to grips with what you truly value most, you can seek to focus on that area and accept changes, even compromises in others, as you minimize distractions in search of a better balance. According to our poll, >>>

INFOGRAPHics Š bayt.com

Our poll on work-life balance has revealed that the ability to maintain a decent work-life balance is key to achieving personal happiness and job satisfaction in the region. While 56.7% of professionals agree that they have achieved a good work-life balance, 43.3% claim they have not. The same poll shows that 26.9% of respondents feel the area most affected due to work-life imbalance is their mental health. For 15.6% of them, the imbalance is felt to hinder their professional and personal growth, and for 7.8% the imbalance deters performance on the job. Only 12.8% of professionals polled agree that what they like most about their job is the level of work-life balance achieved. For many entrepreneurs, creating a work-life balance is nearly impossible. Entrepreneurs generally struggle with managing their working hours, spending quality time with loved ones and personally-fulfilling activities, and at the same time, getting enough sleep, healthy meals and exercise. With the odds stacked against them, how can entrepreneurs achieve the dream of work-life balance? Here are just a few tips to help even the


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