07022021_5 Tips to Maintain a Work-Life Balance for Dads this Pandemic – Beyond Small Talk

5 Tips to Maintain a Work-Life Balance for Dads this Pandemic – Beyond Small Talk

Work-from-home.

This is probably one of the most used terms these days since the start of the pandemic. This may sound like an ideal setup for many people, but most fathers have found working from home very challenging.

From your experience, do you agree that working from home sometimes blurs the line between work-related tasks and your personal time at home?

Don’t worry, amazing Dads. Beyond Small Talk is here for you!

Working dad Ardy Roberto shares these 5 tips on how you can achieve a work-life balance in this new normal:

Tip #1: Ask God for wisdom

Working and raising a family at the same time is hard. Don’t worry, you can do it with God’s help!

Always seek God’s wisdom not just for your work-related decisions but, more importantly, also for your relationships with your loved ones.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV) 

Tip #2: Be intentional in spending time with your loved ones

Quantity time is quality time.

Set specific times for spending with your wife and kids.

A walk in the park every morning, a bike ride after your kids’ online classes, eating dinner together are a couple of examples of activities you can do to bond with your family every day.

It does not have to be grand. Your presence is more than enough to create a quality bond between you and your family, especially during this pandemic.

Tip #3: Communicate with your family

As they say, “Communication is key.”

Always be open with your loved ones about your work situation. Give your family a heads up on your schedule at work.

There will inevitably be times when you will be extra busy at work or on your business, and that’s only natural. With proper communication with your family, you can achieve understanding with them.

Tip #4: Stay true to your word and keep your promises

As the busy season at work comes to an end, be faithful in your commitments to your children and your spouse.

If you promised that you will spend the dinner time with your family, do your best to stick to it. If you said that you will help the kids with their homework that night, help them.  Let them know that they can count on your word.

Remember, small fissures of broken promises could lead to cracks of broken trust.

Tip #5: Be a good example of hard work and excellence

Working from home means your children can see your efforts to provide for the family. It is an opportunity to show them the true meaning of hard work and excellence.

Be a man who is a role model at work and at home.

Don’t worry if you fail at being the best dad sometimes. Truth is, there is no perfect father here on earth.

The great news is that there is a perfect God who leads you in being the head of your family. So, seek God’s help in keeping your work and family life balanced in this new normal.

Do you find these tips helpful in achieving your ideal work-life balance?

Let us know in the comment section below!

For more inspiring content, watch the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk this Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 7:00 PM, on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel!

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Are you one of the many people who are forced to work from home because of the pandemic?

If you are, then this article is for you!

Working from home has numerous benefits. No more commutes and rush hour traffic. No more worrying about your outfit of the day (OOTD). You don’t even have to wear shoes!

On the other hand, while working from home means you can work on your bed, boundaries between work life and non-work life are now blurred.

You can no longer leave work at the office when you go home. This could be a challenge. You could either feel burnt out or not get anything done. Worse, you could feel burnout without getting anything done!

For International Work from Home Day, here are 5 tips that can help you overcome the challenges of working from home:

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Tip #1: Have a designated and consistent place for your work

First things first, give yourself a dedicated workspace. It doesn’t have to be a new room; it could be a small corner. Just somewhere quiet, well-lit, and free from clutter and distractions.

Although not everyone has the luxury to set up a home office, it is important to choose a spot in your home where you can do your work and leave it there when the workday is done.

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Tip #2: Set a reasonable schedule

Harvard Business Review’s article, 5 Ways to Work from Home More Effectively, gave sound advice: Set a schedule to provide structure to your day and to help you stay motivated.

In other words: Set up a doable schedule and try your best to stick to it.

Consider your schedule like you’re working in an office. What is acceptable at work, what’s not? What are your deliverables for the day? List them down. And remember to schedule your breaks!

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Tip #3: Set boundaries

Here’s a scenario: You are in a zoom meeting, swamped with work when an unexpected visitor came knocking at your door.

What do you do?

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is that work-life boundaries can get blurred. Your friends and loved ones might think that you are free to do personal errands anytime because, after all, you are just at home.

That is why it is important to set boundaries and communicate them to everyone in the house. Explain that you are working and that you need time to focus on your work. Let your household members know that you are off-limits during your scheduled work hours.

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Tip #4: Celebrate your wins

If you have ticked an item off your to-do list, go ahead and celebrate!

Life during the pandemic can be quite overwhelming. Acknowledging what you have accomplished – whether they are big or small – is a great way to encourage yourself.

Verywell Mind says that appreciating even your small wins can also boost your self-confidence and motivate you to achieve more.

So, what can you celebrate today?

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Tip #5: Engage in self-care

One year into the pandemic and work from home setup, how are you holding up?

If you are feeling down, know that you are not alone.

According to the report Workforce Attitudes toward Mental Health, 96% of respondents said that the pandemic has affected their stress levels. If you can relate to that, perhaps it’s time to slow down.

It is best to carve out time to care for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Get enough sleep, eat healthily, and find time to exercise — even during work! For instance, Verywell Fit suggests that you stretch your arms and legs every 45-55 minutes and rest your eyes.

Also, make time for relaxing activities, for your loved ones, and for prayer.

Give thanks to God for His sustaining grace and allow yourself to just rest in His presence. Pray for strength and wisdom.

Pray and believe that God will help you to not just survive – but to thrive while working from home.

Wondering How to Survive the Work from Home Setup? Check Out these 5 Tips!

Are you struggling to survive the work from home setup?

We are here to pray for you. Call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0700 or send your prayer requests to our Facebook page.

Stressed from Work? Here are Tips to Overcome | Beyond Small Talk

Do you feel unhappy with your job?

Struggling to cope with your difficult work environment?

Drained with tasks at work?

Watch out! Do not leave it unaddressed because it can result in burnout.

“Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress and is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less identification with the job), and feelings of reduced professional ability,” Elizabeth Scott, MS explained in her article Burnout Symptoms and Treatment in Verywell Mind.

To help with that, here are tips from our Beyond Small Talk hosts on how to overcome your challenges at work and become productive again:

1. Remember that Jesus is your boss

There is a greater purpose why you are working and that is found in Colossians 3:23 NIV, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master.”

Give your best at work not because you want to please men, but because you want to please God above all. Whatever good that you do, God Himself will surely reward you.

2. Check your heart

If you are at a point where you just drag yourself to work and you feel unmotivated, Beyond Small Talk host, Ardy Roberto, advises that you have to do some soul searching.

Ask God, “What is it that You want me to do? What is it that You have called me to do?”

As you wait for God’s answer, remember that it’s also not too late to learn to love what you are doing. God surely led you to that job not by accident but for a purpose.

3. Improve your work-life balance

You can be in love with your job but still get burned out if you don’t practice a healthy work-life balance.

It happened with Beyond Small Talk host Miriam Quiambao-Roberto.

Her advice? Do not let work steal your time with God.

“We need that moment where we have to connect with our Creator so that we can create more in our work,” she said.

Moreover, carve out special time with your loved ones and you will see how it can bring refreshment to your soul and strength as you face tomorrow.

Find comfort in God’s Word in Philippians 4:6 NIV, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Do you need prayers for your work? Perhaps, you are at the point of burnout.

Call CBN Asia Prayer Center now at 8-737-0-700 and we would love to pray for you.

Watch out for the next webisode of Beyond Small Talk every Saturday, 7 pm on The 700 Club Asia Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

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