• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Mock Exams 2020/21
        CAP1 essential documents
        CAP2 essential documents
        FAE essential documents
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE Elective Information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Reasonable accommodation and extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Main examination past papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Audit Qualification requirements
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Chartered Connect
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Testimonials of Flexible route
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        New education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Training firms update details
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Annual subscription fees
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Advocacy
        Careers development
      • In practice
        Going into practice
        Practice Matters
        Practice toolkits
        Members in practice committee
        Practice networks
        Helpsheets
        Compliance support
        Members' complaints adviser
        Free services
        Our approach
        Workshops and professional training with a difference
        Abhaile Scheme
        Practice News webinars
        GDPR resources for practices
      • Overseas members
        Working abroad
        Working in Australia
        Overseas members news
        Tax for returning Irish members
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        FAQs for Chartered Accountants
        AML confidential disclosure form
        CHARIOT/Institute Technical content
        TaxSource
        Pocket diaries
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Course enrolment information for firms
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • The Institute
☰
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Students
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Archive
  • Podcasts
  • Contact us
Search
View Cart 0 Item
  • Home/
  • Accountancy Ireland/
  • Articles/
  • Careers/
  • Latest News

Careers

Your work/life balance action plan

Sep 01, 2016
The happiest people in the world are busy but don’t feel rushed, according to author Daniel Pink. Introduce balance to your life in five simple steps.

Striking a sustainable work/life balance in today’s ‘always on’ environment isn’t easy. While you will be keen to make a good impression on your colleagues and superiors, it’s important to embrace the ‘off’ button too.

Work/life balance is different for each individual, and will alter as you go through life’s many stages. Whether you’re a trainee or FCA, the following tips will help you establish a routine that allows you to excel at work while investing in the people and experiences that are important to you.

1. Technology

Technology is a great servant, but a terrible master. It will absorb vital hours each week and sabotage your sleeping habits unless you set clear boundaries, particularly for social media. And when you’re not in the office or on annual leave, use the time to unwind. Avoid ‘checking in’ or reading emails and instead, give your brain a chance to rest and recuperate.

2. Prioritise

A key life skill is the ability to differentiate between the urgent and important, and act accordingly. Know how to add value for your employer and also, know what’s important for you personally. Make deliberate choices in life and ring-fence that personal time – be it for family activities or your favourite sport.

3. Control

A loss of control can lead to anxiety, so be clear on what’s required and what’s possible. If there’s an expectation gap, talk to your superior. While everyone must work through busy periods, the idea that you will get everything ‘done’ if you work long and hard enough is a myth. Pace yourself, work hard, and know when it’s time to clock off.

4. Play to your strengths

Peter Drucker, the famous management consultant and author, advised individuals to understand what only they can do well and step up to the plate in those areas. The rest, he said, should be delegated, outsourced or neglected. While it might not be wise for a trainee to neglect a task, it’s important to let your colleagues know where you can add the most value and expertise. You will enjoy your work more and your productivity will rise accordingly.

5. Reward yourself

Some people strive to achieve every day. While ambition is a laudible trait, it’s important to reward yourself for your hard work and take time off when it’s due. The training contract is a demanding programme but developing a single calendar for work, study and family will help you achieve a degree of balance between all three.

Conclusion

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means but to get to the root of your ideal work/life balance, list everything that competes for your time. When complete, decide with ruthless vigour what to keep and what to discard. You don’t necessarily need to work more to get things done, or less to have a better work/life balance. The real key is taking control of how you use the time available to you.

The latest news to your inbox

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast
Antrim BT2 8BG, United Kingdom.

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CARB Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.