Spagat zwischen Projektarbeit und Freizeit: Wie man ein Gleichgewicht zwischen Arbeit und Leben findet

As a consultant in the world of Software Asset Management (SAM), I know all too well how easy it can be to lose sight of one’s personal work-life balance. Project work often takes center stage, but the trick is to implement effective time management to find a balance between professional obligations and personal well-being. In this post, I share my tried and tested strategies on how I successfully manage this balancing act.

In my daily work practice, there is a particular focus on carefully prioritizing my tasks. Before the start of each new week or in the evening, when I feel that important and urgent issues require my attention, I take time to get a comprehensive overview of the upcoming deadlines. This conscious look at upcoming tasks enables me to identify potential overlaps and check whether all planned appointments are feasible. If necessary, I react proactively by postponing or restructuring tasks to ensure that my priorities are always optimally set. This regular reflection and adjustment of my task structure not only creates clarity about my working week, but also allows me to maintain my focus and use my time efficiently.

To bring structure to my working day, I rely on clearly defined blocks of time for different tasks and activities. This allows me to focus fully on specific projects without losing sight of my set focus. At the same time, there is room for personal activities and appointments. Scheduling short breaks and idle time between blocks has proven to be an effective strategy. These provide space for forgotten things, important matters and, ideally, pleasant moments to take a deep breath, preferably accompanied by a cup of warm coffee. These short phases of taking a deep breath are crucial for me to keep my concentration at a consistently high level.

My communication strategy is specifically designed to minimize meetings and focus on written communication - true to the motto "Verba volant, scripta manent" ("Words fly, writing stays"). I attach great importance to being precise in my written correspondence in order to avoid queries. This is not only to save time - a valuable commodity - but also to enable an effective balance between work and leisure. I've also found that reserving an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening for replying to emails instead of constantly striving to keep my inbox "clean" has proved to be a good idea."

In order to meet all these demands, it is essential to look after my own well-being. I get my day off to a particularly focused start if I start it with physical activity. Half an hour on the treadmill, a bike ride or a deliberate walk to the office (about 5 km) are not only refreshing, but also get my body going in the morning. The walk home in the evening gives me the opportunity to review the events of the working day. When I finally arrive home, my real free time begins. The net loss of time is extremely small.

For me, a good balance between project work and free time is the key to long-term professional and personal success. Through conscious time management and clear prioritization, I not only manage to increase my professional efficiency, but also ensure that my personal quality of life is maintained.

Author: Volker Albrich