The importance of finding a balance between personal and work life has become a popular subject among large companies and small business owners over the last several years. People are more stressed than ever, and part of that has to do with the fact that there is no clear separation between one’s career and life outside of work. Creating a work-life balance is crucial for construction contractors, as the job involves working long hours and, in some cases, under dangerous conditions.
Developing a strategy for a balance between work and personal needs requires taking a close look at why imbalance occurs, and implementing certain strategies to overcome it.
What Drives Work-Life Imbalance?
Individuals working in the construction industry may find themselves without a strong balance between work and personal life for a variety of reasons. The most common include:
- Escaping personal problems by throwing available time and energy into work;
- Associating working constantly with a certain status in life;
- Focusing on earning more money by working more; and
- Not having the right partners or systems in place to help manage workloads.
Regardless of the reason work-life imbalance occurs, it can have a devastating effect on a person’s well-being. Many construction contractors work far longer than the standard nine to five each day, putting in time on the weekends and holidays, too. However, by creeping into workaholic territory, meaning a job takes up nearly all of a person’s waking hours, health takes a hit. Working too much may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular issues, and that person may experience a decline in mental health or have trouble getting enough sleep each night. These can all lead to serious health conditions that are more difficult to treat as they persist.
In addition to health issues, work-life imbalance among construction contractors may also lead to a decline in their personal relationships. If they opt to work instead of spend time with friends or family, eventually those relationships will dissipate. They may also experience job burnout, meaning they are no longer passionate about what they do in the construction industry. Each of the drivers of work-life imbalance requires some attention if they want to ensure they are not at risk for serious consequences in the future.
Tips for Creating a More Balanced Career
Construction contractors can consider the following tips when trying to improve their work-life balance. These will have a direct impact on some areas of their personal lives, but they may also see an indirect impact on a business. Being more focused on the job reduces the likelihood of making a mistake.
This keeps contractors’ licenses in good standing, which leads to reduced cost on license requirements such as bid bonds, performance bonds or construction bonds. Having reduced expenses on surety bonds has a positive impact on a business, and in the long run can lead to less stress about finances, which may ultimately help contractors maintain work-life balance.
Prioritize Tasks
Determine what is most important in running the business each day and focus on those tasks first. If contractors allow themselves to be distracted by low-level or non-revenue-related activities, they’re likely to spend longer hours on the job catching up with the big-ticket items.
Use Technology
Several technology tools exist to help construction contractors better manage their projects and their businesses. Using the right tech tools and systems will help automate some of the time-consuming, mundane tasks that eat away at productivity. Using some digital assistance can also help get a clearer picture of the business from a financial perspective without having to take time out of the day to evaluate progress.
Take Breaks and Vacations
It may seem as though taking breaks throughout the day or a vacation once or twice a year is a detriment to business. However, research shows that taking time away from the job breaks the cycle of stress that may be leading to workaholic behaviors. Plan time in between projects to reset and relax, and fill that time with anything other than work-related tasks.
Delegate Work
One of the best ways to establish and maintain a work-life balance is delegating work to others, especially if the work is something a person hasn’t or doesn’t want to master. Managing business financials, for instance, should be left to an accountant or financial adviser to free up some time. Specific trusted tradesmen should be used for projects a contractor doesn’t have much experience in, and subcontractors can be used for the work the contractor doesn’t have the time or energy to do. Delegation is not giving up revenue; it is providing an opportunity to focus energy on what a person is passionate about the most, either on or off the job.
Use the Right Partners
Finally, creating a work-life balance requires having the right team of people, meaning vendors, suppliers and referral sources, as well as individuals in one’s personal life. Take the time to evaluate business and personal relationships to ensure those people are adding to your life instead of creating more stress.
It is possible to find work-life balance in the construction industry, but it takes an understanding of how imbalance occurs and taking the appropriate steps to correct it to get the job done.
