Balancing work and family life is no easy feat, but some people seem to manage it effortlessly.

What’s their secret?

Research shows that those who excel in juggling these two demanding areas often exhibit nine key behaviors that set them apart.

Whether it’s setting clear boundaries or prioritizing self-care, these habits are essential for maintaining harmony between career and personal life.

Curious about what these behaviors are?

Understanding them might just be the first step toward achieving a better work-life balance for yourself.

Here are nine behaviors of people who have a good work-family balance.

1) They prioritize

Balancing work and family life isn’t about trying to fit everything in, it’s about prioritizing what really matters.

Successful balancers understand that they can’t do everything.

So they make conscious decisions about what is truly important to them.

It’s a constant juggling act, where not every ball can stay airborne.

They decide which balls are made of glass and which are rubber.

Glass balls shatter if dropped, while rubber ones will bounce back.

Work tasks, family time, self-care, social engagements: they look at all of these and decide what needs their attention most.

The key is to discern between the urgent and the important. 

This prioritization doesn’t just occur once.

It’s a regular assessment, a continual realignment of their time and energy.

They know when to say yes, and when to say no, and most importantly, they are okay with making those tough decisions.

This is not about being rigid or inflexible, but rather about being intentional with their time.

And that’s a big part of finding that elusive work-life balance.

2) They strive for integration, not perfection

Finding a perfect work-life balance is a myth.

Believe me, I’ve tried it!

I remember when I was just starting out in my career, I was working long hours and trying to keep up with my family responsibilities.

I was striving for that “perfect” balance where everything had equal time and attention. But it just wasn’t realistic.

I soon realized that what I needed was integration, not perfection.

This meant accepting that some days would be more work-focused while others would revolve around family.

It was about finding harmony between the two.

Instead of aiming for an unrealistic 50-50 split, I started blending my roles.

For instance, taking breaks during the workday to help with my kids’ homework or making business calls while prepping dinner.

This approach has its challenges, but it’s more flexible and forgiving than the pursuit of perfection.

And it’s been key in helping me manage my work and family life more effectively.

3) They understand the importance of downtime

Downtime is often overlooked in our fast-paced world.

But did you know that scientific research shows that taking breaks can actually boost productivity and creativity?

The human brain isn’t designed to work non-stop.

Rather, it performs best with regular rest periods.

This is when it processes and consolidates information. It’s also when we replenish our mental resources.

People who successfully balance work and family understand this.

They make sure to incorporate regular breaks into their schedule, whether it’s a walk during lunch, a few minutes of meditation in the morning, or simply some quiet time in the evening.

It’s not about slacking off, but about giving their brain the necessary rest to function at its best.

This way, they’re more productive when they work, and more present when they’re with their family.

4) They delegate and outsource

No one is an island. We all need help sometimes, and recognizing this is a sign of strength, not weakness.

People who successfully balance work and family understand that they can’t do it all alone.

They’re not afraid to delegate tasks at work or ask for help at home.

At work, this might mean entrusting a project to a capable colleague.

At home, it could be as simple as asking a partner to handle school pickups or hiring a cleaning service.

By sharing responsibilities, they free up time for the things that truly matter.

They understand that asking for help isn’t admitting defeat, but a smart strategy for effective time management and achieving a balanced life.

5) They set boundaries

In our always-connected world, it’s easy for work to creep into personal time.

But those who balance work and family life well understand the importance of setting boundaries.

They are clear about when they are available for work and when it’s time for family.

They might set specific ‘office hours’ at home, or decide not to check work emails after a certain time.

These boundaries ensure that work doesn’t spill over into their personal life, and vice versa.

It helps them to be fully present in whatever they’re doing, whether it’s a work project or a family dinner.

Setting boundaries takes discipline, but it’s crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

6) They make time for what they love

Life is too short to be consumed by work alone. Those who successfully balance work and family life understand this deeply.

They make sure to carve out time for activities they love.

Whether it’s painting, hiking, cooking, or simply reading a good book, they ensure these activities aren’t pushed aside by their work or family responsibilities.

These personal passions fuel their joy and rejuvenate them.

They remind them of who they are outside of their work and familial roles.

Making time for what they love isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

It helps them stay grounded and brings a sense of fulfillment that permeates all areas of their life.

7) They practice self-care

Self-care is particularly important when it comes to work-life balance.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs before our own.

I’ve been there, burning the candle at both ends, trying to be everything to everyone.

But here’s what I learned: You can’t pour from an empty cup.

People who balance work and family life well, understand that their own well-being is crucial.

They prioritize self-care, treating it as a non-negotiable appointment with themselves.

This may look like regular exercise, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, or even just taking a few quiet moments to breathe and center themselves each day.

By taking care of their own health and well-being, they’re better equipped to take care of others and meet their work and family commitments.

It’s not selfish, it’s smart.

8) They keep communication lines open

Open, honest communication forms the bedrock of any successful relationship, whether it’s personal or professional.

People who balance work and family life well make sure to keep communication lines open.

They express their needs, feelings, and concerns to their family members, coworkers, and managers.

They discuss their work schedules with their families and involve them in decision-making processes.

At work, they communicate clearly about their commitments and boundaries.

This open communication helps avoid misunderstandings and fosters a supportive environment, both at home and at work.

It’s key in ensuring everyone is on the same page, working together towards that balanced life.

9) They’re flexible

Life is unpredictable. No matter how well you plan, unexpected things happen.

Those who juggle work and family life well understand this.

They remain flexible, ready to adapt when circumstances change.

Flexibility allows them to pivot when necessary, maintaining their balance even when life throws a curveball their way.

It’s not about having a rigid schedule, but about being able to adjust and find equilibrium in the face of life’s ups and downs.

This flexibility is perhaps the most important aspect of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Because in the end, it’s all about navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

It’s all about your choices

At the end of the day, balancing work and family life boils down to the choices we make.

It’s about choosing to prioritize, to communicate, to say yes or no, to take care of ourselves, and to stay flexible.

It’s about choosing what matters most to us, and then making intentional decisions to honor those choices.

Our time is finite. We have 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week.

How we choose to spend that time can either lead us towards a balanced life or pull us away from it.

As the philosopher Seneca once said, “It’s not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”

Let’s not waste it.

Let’s make our choices count.