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Cal Wilson / March 25, 2024

How is generative AI changing UCaaS’s potential?

Unified Communications as a Service or UCaaS, refers to the consolidation of an organization’s crucial communication systems, including voice, video, messaging, and other cloud-based collaboration tools all on one unified platform. The likelihood you already utilize a UCaaS is high, and many organizations use such platforms, for both external and internal communication.  

Like everything else in the tech-space these days, one of the trends impacting the future development of UCaaS is generative AI. In this article, we’ll be looking at how generative AI can make an impact on your organization’s UCaaS solution.  

What is generative AI? 

The purpose of generative AI lies within its name; it is specifically meant to generate new content, such as text or images, by learning from existing examples and utilizing strong pattern recognition skills. If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT a question or used one of those apps to make a cool, illustrated profile photo for you based on a handful of your pictures, that’s generative AI.  

As RingCentral describes, “the core building blocks of AI – Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, etc. – become more accurate and more ‘intelligent’ the more you use them, so their capabilities will steadily improve over time.” 

How will it be implemented into the UCaaS landscape? 

You may have already seen the effects of generative AI on your UCaaS platform because major organizations have adapted fast towards changes in AI. A perfect example is Microsoft’s suite of products and its integration of ‘Copilot’, an AI assistant that assists with functions like managing meetings, summarizing text, and improving the overall customer experience. 

But of course, it doesn’t stop there. Other organizations that offer UCaaS are using generative AI for a whole host of purposes, including: 

  • Improving sales and marketing workflows. 
  • Enhancing compliance. 
  • Speech-to-text.  
  • Real time transcription. 
  • Real time translation. 
  • Ensuring quality in customer service written responses.  

When it comes to implementation, there are endless practical use cases for these tools. For example, generative AI could be used, to record and transcribe meetings, write summaries, create action items, schedule follow-ups, etc. From a soft hours perspective, tools like these would free up a lot of time for employees who dedicate significant energy towards these tedious tasks. Simultously, it conserves more time for employees to focus on other priority work. 

Many UCaaS providers have added significant generative AI tools in the past year, with the expectation of those features expanding significantly in the coming year.  

AI in UCaaS is nothing new. 

For those who get their guard up at the idea of AI infultrating their systems, it bears remembering that AI has always been a part of UCaaS, in one form or another. Auto-attendants, chatbots, and other virtual assistant type tools are all preexisting features that lack the “AI label”. For example, AI call attendants were lifesavers for call centers during the wake of the Great Resignation, when higher call volumes and fewer agents meant every second of live voice time was precious.  

In conclusion… 

Generative AI has a lot of potential to expand UCaaS’s usefulness and make your employees’ lives easier. Different offerings from different vendors may represent a lot of potential for saved time, and therefore money, for your organization. When it comes to communication, AI tools are not necessarily replacing human workers as they are complementing them, while improving productivity at the same time. 

 

Cal Wilson / March 19, 2024

Do workplace communication tools cause an unintentional language barrier?

As you’re well aware, there are a lot of ways to communicate professionally these days. Email, phone calls, video calls, and collaboration software like Microsoft Teams or Slack; all of these platforms have their individual nuances, expected etiquette, and niches. While having options is fantastic at streamlining workplace digital collaboration, a new study finds it can simultaneously lead to miscommunication and even employee conflict.   

In this issue of The Pulse, we look at that study’s findings.  

Full-time, American employees were surveyed about communication methods.  

A recent study by corporate language training firm, Preply, found that among over a thousand full-time U.S.-based employees, a generational language barrier exists when it comes to communication tools. Of the participants, only 7% were Baby Boomers, while 23% were Gen X, 62% were Millennials, and 8% were Gen Z. 

The survey found that: 

  • Nearly 90% of employees blame email for workplace miscommunications.  
  • Approximately two in five employees have deleted work-related voicemails before fully listening to them. 
  • Baby Boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1964, are the most likely to utilize voice messages for professional communication, while the majority of employees (around 75%) are reducing the amount of time they spend on the phone.  

Generational differences in communication preferences exist, and there’s no denying that. However, the study also took a look at the mediums employees use to communicate with one another and their associated expectations based on that medium.  

How are people choosing to communicate? 

When asked which methods they found preferable for workplace communication, Preply found: 

  • 86% were amenable to email. 
  • 59% liked direct messages, such as over Slack or Teams. 
  • 52% were okay with text messages. 
  • Only 31% liked phone calls and fewer (11%) preferred other forms of voice messages.  

Likewise, the majority of respondents (67%) wanted a written method of communication before receiving a phone call, indicating there’s an increased desire for stronger employee boundaries. Although not surprising, these findings reflect a greater trend within the workplace and should be considered, especially when paired with remote working environments.  

Be fluent, be flexible. 

Facilitating effective business communication means bridging the gap between different preferences and generational habits and becoming fluent in all these platforms. In order to truly possess exceptional communication skills, you and your employees must be comfortable and coherent over email, the phone, collaboration software, and any other potential mediums. If you’re not, you’re risking a sort of language barrier with clients, colleagues, and other contacts.  

Even if you feel fluent across all platforms, the people you’re interacting with might not be, so it is important to become adaptable to others’ communication preferences. Best business communication practice involves determining the preferences of those you contact for work, within your organization or not.   

For example, Preply found nearly one-third of respondents who received unexpected phone calls from colleagues felt anxious or uneasy about it. Likewise, the survey found that younger respondents, in Gen Z, tended to regard phone calls as more suited to personal discussions, compared to other generations. Gauging and understanding a contact’s perspective is critical for business best practice. 

In conclusion… 

It might be easy to dig your heels in and stick to the communication tools that you’re the most comfortable with, but that could easily set you back in the long run. It’s important to encourage adaptability in your workplace culture because as it turns out, expectations will always differ among employees as long as generational differences still exist. The best thing you can do for your workplace success is to be comfortable with as many methods as possible and approach every conversation flexibly.  

Cal Wilson / March 11, 2024

Are you on top of your different kinds of packaging and shipping supplies?

It can be difficult to conceive of all the moving parts that are required for large organizations to successfully ship product around the world. On top of the materials already needed to make your product, you need plenty more just to ensure safety when transporting it.  Unfortunately, for a lot of business owners or operators, all these different supplies can be overwhelming.  

In this article, we look at the different subcategories of packaging and shipping supplies so you can make a more informed decision when it comes to what’s best for your product and your budget 

The levels of packaging and shipping supplies. 

There are four generally accepted ‘levels’ of packaging and shipping supplies. These are as follows: 

  1. Primary 
  2. Secondary 
  3. Tertiary 
  4. Ancillary 

This might sound complicated, but it all follows the supplies’ relationship to your product. 

For simplicity’s sake, as we go through the different levels, let’s say we’re a beverage manufacturer that makes drinks in single-use containers and ships them across the country.  

Primary supplies. 

Simply put, the primary level of supplies relates specifically to the product packaging. It’s primary packaging if it comes in direct contact with the product, and its purpose is to protect, preserve and make it easier to handle the product.  

So, in the example of a beverage manufacturer, the primary packaging could be the aluminum can, plastic or glass bottle, or plastic pouch that the drink is stored in. Think of them as the single-item containers  

Other examples of primary packaging supplies include: 

  • Cans and tins 
  • Blister packs 
  • Glass bottles 
  • Plastic bottles 
  • Plastic wrappers 
  • Tubes 
  • Poly bags 
  • Vials 
  • Cardboard trays 

Primary packaging is the last place you want to cut corners on quality. Not only does it protect your product from damage and deterioration, but seeing worn or defective packaging can make customers think twice before making a purchase.  

Secondary supplies. 

Secondary packaging supplies include the materials necessary to group multiples of your product together in one container.  

In our beverage manufacturer example, this could look like the cardboard box, plastic casing, or six-pack rings used to group together cans or bottles.  

Examples of secondary packaging supplies include: 

  • Cardboard boxes and cases 
  • Paperboard trays 
  • Plastic boxes 
  • Shrink wrapped packages 

Some important facets of secondary packaging are protecting the primary packaging and making the products easy to store for the seller. Usually, secondary packaging needs to be stackable for shelving and displays.  

Tertiary supplies. 

Tertiary supplies refer to the materials needed to ship your product from the factory to the store where it’s being sold. This can also be called shipping supplies, bulk packaging, and transit packaging. It’s meant to safely group large quantities of secondary containers into a single distribution unit for transportation, making it easy for loading and unloading into vehicles and warehouses. 

Tertiary shipping supplies include: 

  • Pallets/skids 
  • Shipping crates 
  • Large cardboard boxes 

Your tertiary supplies – and setup with your shipper – need to be secure enough to withstand any bumps and bruises during the transit process.  

Ancillary supplies. 

Ancillary supplies refer to all the additional materials needed to accompany your first three levels of packaging and shipping supplies. This includes tape, film, labels, etc. – it’s going to look different for every business. 

In conclusion… 

A lot goes into packaging and shipping your product. A lot goes around your product, too; specifically, four different kinds of supplies that all need to be considered, ordered through a vendor, and kept track of to ensure you’re not overspending or under-receiving.  

Cal Wilson / March 4, 2024

6 Tips on Being a Successful Entrepreneur

Sometimes, you need to break the rules to innovate — but which ones? Entrepreneurship professor John Mullins shares six counter-conventional mindsets for entrepreneurs looking to think strategically, navigate challenges and change the world.

Brittany Powers / February 26, 2024

SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS? What’s the difference, and how can you tell which one’s right for you?

When it comes to cloud computing, if you’re not on board, you’re already behind. Given the rise in popularity and accessibility of cloud-based business solutions, to say the market wasn’t already saturated would be an understatement. In this article, we examine the different kinds of cloud computing structures and how they have the potential to reduce company expenditures and improve productivity.  

SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS 

The cloud computing ecosystem can seem daunting to companies that have previously relied upon physical, on-premises IT solutions. However, chances are you’re already using one, and its use can be optimized. Before we dive into the benefits, it’s key to understand the differences between cloud computing systems to determine which one is appropriate for you.  

To understand the following differences better, it’s helpful to imagine the three kinds of solutions in logical order, starting with IaaS closest to the hardware, and ending with SaaS, furthest from the hardware.  

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is often thought of as the base of cloud services. Predominately the back end of IT infrastructure, IaaS products allow control of an organization’s resources such as their network, servers, and data storage, all on the cloud.  

Examples of Common IaaS  

  • Microsoft Azure  
  • DigitalOcean 
  • Linode 
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)  
  • Cisco Metapod  
  • Google Compute Engine  

IaaS Benefits  

Compared to traditional systems, IaaS comes with many advantages, especially when in regards to reducing operational expenses. The benefit of opting for the implementation of an IaaS for your business lies in its easy onboarding characteristics. For instance, the upfront cost will be much lower than physical systems, and the amount of storage can be easily manipulated to accommodate spikes in usage. IaaS also provides greater cyber security than hosting cloud infrastructure in-house because security is maintained at data centers and via encryption.  

IaaS Use Cases 

  • E-commerce: IaaS is an excellent tool for those in the e-commerce sphere because of its ability to easily scale based on drastic changes in demand and site traffic.  
  • Startups: For businesses that lack initial funds, IaaS is a great option for those who want access to enterprise-class data capabilities but don’t want to pay for on-premises IT systems.  
  • Disaster Recovery: When issues arise, IaaS can deploy disaster recovery processes among multiple locations all at once, facilitating repair effectively.  

PaaS (Platform as a Service) 

In contrast to IaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers the next step allowing businesses and developers to build and deploy applications without necessarily having to host them. This fosters the perfect environment perfect for developers, they’re able to write the code needed to build and manage various applications, all without dealing with software updates or hardware maintenance. 

Examples of PaaS  

  • AWS Elastic Beanstalk  
  • Windows Azure 
  • Google App Engine 
  • Apache Stratos 
  • OpenShift 
  • Heroku  
  • Red Hat Open Shift 

Benefits of PaaS 

Compared to IaaS, PaaS allows users to build, test, deploy, run, and scale applications much faster than alternatives. The faster time to market makes PaaS ideal for reducing the duration of design stages, something extremely valuable when it comes to testing out new technologies or accommodating real-time data processing from Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 

PaaS Use Cases  

  • Cross Platform: PaaS levels the playing field when it comes to developing solutions that support various platforms. To remain in the spotlight, businesses need to be able to meet the users where they already are (web, mobile, tablet).   
  • Mobile Development: PaaS is often the go-to for mobile development because it allows the easy tie-in of other aspects that may affect the app but does not necessarily need to be built in, phone camera or GPS for example.   
  • Agile Design Processes: PaaS aids in the ability to implement agile design processes, extremely compatible with the entire DevOps cycle needed to constantly adapt after release.  
  • IoT: PaaS supports a diverse range of programming languages that are commonly used for IoT applications and can manage and process real-time data.  

SaaS (Software as a Service) 

What is probably the most familiar word thrown around these days, but does not refer to all cloud computing systems, would be Software as a Service (SaaS). SaaS builds upon IaaS and PaaS, offering complete ready-to-use software that already comes with all the infrastructure required to deliver it.  Today almost everyone uses SaaS throughout their day-to-day operations, and it’s almost become hard to avoid. However, given the saturation within the industry, it’s easy to overspend in this area. Most SaaS companies rely on subscription-based models or a “freemium” approach to their services, meaning some aspects are free but you can pay for more.   

Examples of SaaS 

  • Google Suite 
  • HubSpot 
  • Dropbox  
  • Salesforce 
  • Trello  
  • Asana  
  • Netflix 
  • Zendesk 

Benefits of SaaS 

For smaller organizations, the adoption of SaaS is very helpful when it comes to increasing overall efficiency and streamlining digital communication. It’s also great for businesses that don’t have the staff or capacity to handle the software installation and updates that IaaS and PaaS require overtime. Thus, it’s a very beneficial option if you’re looking for a cloud solution that will be used periodically rather than needing something running constantly. However, this could also be described as a double-edged sword because the convenience SaaS provides is also taken away when it comes to managing security. Due to fewer control options, most SaaS doesn’t provide the option of significant modification when it comes to performance and security, so it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons.  

As for SaaS use cases, well it’s made its way to just about everything, and quite frankly, it’s hard to avoid. Just about any digital personal and workplace productivity tool is a SaaS.  

In conclusion… 

When it comes to understanding the scope of cloud computing it can become quite overwhelming and complex. It’s not uncommon to overspend in this area given the ambiguity that arises from such topics. However, being able to distinguish cloud computing systems from each other is the first step to understanding your specific software needs. With varying levels of control, security, and general capabilities offered on the market, the world of cloud computing can seem daunting, but understanding the difference between what’s currently on the market will help make the decision simpler.   

Cal Wilson / February 20, 2024

Adopt an ‘always learning’ mindset

Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella once said, “don’t be a know-it-all, be a learn-it-all.” 

Adopting this attitude, one devoted to continual learning, proactivity, and humility with regards to what you do not yet know, will get you far. In this issue of the Pulse, we look at how to adopt this mindset and the advancements it can bring to both your personal and work life.   

Make learning a priority.  

Nowadays, most careers expect you to have a motivated attitude towards professional development. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, “adaptive and proactive learners are highly prized assets for organizations, and when we invest in our learning, we create long-term dividends for our career development.” 

When you don’t prioritize your lifelong learning, it can have a negative impact on your career and life in the long term. For example, it can: 

  • Prevent opportunities for career development and new, exciting trajectories. 
  • Reduces our resilience and adaptability.  
  • Leave us behind as the world advances with new technology, methods, and trends. 
  • Leave us feeling unmotivated and unfulfilled. 

On the other hand, investing intentionally in lifelong learning leads to: 

  • Continuous growth. 
  • Flexibility in a variety of situations and challenges. 
  • Improve problem-solving skills. 
  • Enhanced confidence. 
  • Better relationships and ‘people’ skills. 
  • Cognitive health and longevity. 

Work is the perfect place to practice continual learning.  

You might associate learning with school or personal endeavors but given the amount of time we spend at our jobs, the workplace is actually the ideal environment to adopt an ‘always learning’ mindset. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as enrolling in another degree or taking additional classes. You can learn every day, often without spending a dime or adding too much more to your plate. 

So, how do you do it? 

Being mindful about the work you already do is a great way to start. For example, you can optimize the following daily activities to contribute to continuous learning: 

  • Collaboration – every colleague or contact offers a unique perspective, and taking the time to listen and learn from them will vastly diversify your mindset.  
  • Embracing curiosity – follow your motivation and your instincts by actively seeking out new information and experiences within your industry. 
  • Seek feedback – proactively make time for mutual feedback from peers and mentors to identify areas for development.  
  • Don’t avoid failure or mistakes – experiment outside your comfort zone and embrace opportunities as they arise.  
  • Seek out challenges – whether it’s situations that are new to you, or people to collaborate with who have different backgrounds and experience. 
  • Ask the right questions – questions that challenge existing methods and assumptions and might spark innovation. 

What else can you do? 

Outside of your regular activities, there are other strategies to implement. Some of these include: 

  • Creating manageable goals and holding yourself accountable to them. 
  • Diversify your learning sources – branch out and explore new learning sources and formats, including books, articles, podcasts, online courses, workshops, webinars, and seminars. 
  • Practice cognitive unloading – when you transfer something from your head into the physical world, like jotting down a note on a piece of paper, you are making space in your brain by physically unloading thoughts. 
  • Create a habit tracker – write down all the actions and activities you do by default over the course of a week to see what is contributing to your learning and development and what is not.  

Unlearning is important to continually learning.  

As Harvard Business Review explains, “unlearning means letting go of the safe and familiar and replacing it with something new and unknown. Skills and behaviors that helped you get to where you are can actually hold you back from getting to where you want to be.” 

To practice continual learning and development, unlearning is crucial. Maybe you need to unlearn sticking to your comfort zone, people pleasing, or avoiding collaboration. Whatever it is, it’s crucial to make sure you’re actively breaking patterns. 

At first, this process can be uncomfortable, but in the long run, will be great for your career development and overall wellbeing.  

In conclusion… 

There are immense benefits to adopting an attitude of lifelong learning. And the best part? It doesn’t take a drastic life change; just small adjustments to the way you already do things and unlearning unhelpful patterns.  

 

Cal Wilson / February 12, 2024

Payment integration, No. 2: What are payment integration connectors?

In our last article about payment integration, we looked at what payment integration is and how to it can optimize your merchant services. In this article we’re looking at API connectors; a software secret that opens your options as a merchant, and potentially allows for significant savings on your payment processing expenses.  

Payment integration requires payment APIs.  

Integrated payments are facilitated through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. Essentially, payment APIs enable applications to accept and send payments by ensuring that all involved parties can “talk” to each other. Think of them as the middlemen between your payment processor and whatever software your business is using for its CRM or other processes.  

As we mentioned in the last issue, there are many benefits to payment integration, such as: 

  • Making the customer experience seamless.   
  • Streamlining merchant’s operations.  
  • Increasing efficiency and security. 
  • Offering multi-channel support across all platforms.  
  • Offering reporting and analytics.  
  • Minimizing human error. 
  • Minimizing online cart abandonment. 

However, on top of all the benefits to your bottom line, there are also some constraints. 

Payment APIs can tie you to one processor.  

For example, let’s say an automotive repair business uses a specific CRM software to keep track of client data, as well as send real-time updates on its customer’s repair status. Well, there’s a decent chance that the payment API needed to integrate that specific CRM with a merchant services provider exclusively works with one processor. Thus, your ability to switch to a processor with better rates may be dependent on its compatibility with your current CRM system. Many will trade convenience for price because it’s a lot easier to continue overspending than to completely change your operations. For that reason, it’s not uncommon for businesses to choose a more conservative approach, limiting operational upgrades. 

In this regard, despite improving your operations and having a potentially positive impact on your bottom line, payment integration does remove some of your choices as a business owner.  

What’s the solution, as a merchant, who wants the benefits of payment integration without the loss of agency when it comes to choosing a provider? 

Connectors give you the best of both worlds. 

To work around processor exclusivity requirements and integration protocols, customized software called ‘connectors’ are commonly employed. Connectors use APIs to establish communication between two applications that are otherwise not designed to work together.  

So, in the automotive repair shop example, if you wanted to keep your current CRM and try a different processor, you would have to use a connector to make this possible. Depending on the potential savings, it may be worth paying for a connector.  

How do you get a connector? 

Connectors aren’t something your processor is going to advertise being an option, so how do you find them? 

Connectors are offered through third-party developers. These are available to businesses in two main ways: 

  • Building custom connectors upon request to meet specific needs. 
  • Licensing out a pre-built connector based on a common need among many businesses for a feed per pay period. 

The former option is much more expensive than the latter, so the cost-benefit analysis of that choice must be carefully considered. If a pre-built option for your specific needs exists, there’s a good chance it could result in significant payment processing savings.  

In conclusion… 

While payment integration takes your payment processing capabilities to the next level and can significantly improve operations, it also has the potential to limit business’ choices when it comes to processor selection. Of course, connectors resolve this issue, by facilitating communication between programs that aren’t otherwise designed to talk. Depending on the availability of existing connectors, this option could save your business a lot of money.  

Cal Wilson / February 6, 2024

Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want

Have you ever considered that corporate strategy might apply to your own life? No? Well, think again. In this issue of the Pulse, we share a video from Harvard Business Review, in which expert Rainer Strack asks seven questions which can clarify what really matters to you and help you build your own life strategy. 

Cal Wilson / January 29, 2024

Payment integration, No. 1: What is payment integration?

The world of payment processing is incredibly complicated, with lots of different moving parts. Depending on how your business or organization operates, it only becomes increasingly complex. Payment integration is the process that simplifies all of that, ensuring a seamless experience across various systems, platforms, or applications.  

In this article – part one of a two-part series on payment integration – we look at what payment integration is, and its benefits for both the merchant and consumer.  

How does payment integration work?  

Integrated payments happen when a merchant’s payment processor is connected with their point-of-sale system (POS), e-commerce platforms, accounting software, or other business management tools, such as a CRM. This means customers can pay with credit, debit, Apple Pay, and more, without the need for manual processing, separate terminals, or when purchasing online, without leaving the platform or switching to another application or website.  

Likewise, because it connects to other management software, integrated payments allow for the real-time monitoring of inventory and sales data.  

Essentially, all payment integration processes should: 

  • Make the user experience seamless.  
  • Streamline the merchant’s operations. 
  • Increase efficiency. 
  • Offer multi-channel support, across all of the platforms you require.  
  • Be incredibly secure.  
  • Offer reporting and analytics. 

Integrated payments are commonly facilitated through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) – protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. 

Why does your business need to think about payment integration? 

On top of the benefits to your own operations, customers expect ease and convenience when making payments. Not only that, they expect options. As much as 63% of retail customers prefer to use integrated payment options – such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. – when making purchases. Your customers want online options, want to be able to pay from their phone, and don’t want to have to enter their information every single time they shop with you. All these factors come down to payment integration.  

Integrated payments can improve your bottom line. 

Simply put, payment integrations save you time and money, which in turn, makes your business more profitable. It does this in the following ways: 

  • Reduces the gap of time between your customers’ transactions and you receiving funds. 
  • Reduces cart abandonment in online interactions by making the process as simple as possible for the customer. 
  • Potentially reduces costs by amalgamating several payment and accounting processes into one application.  
  • Minimizes mistakes made by human error.  

What if you don’t utilize payment integration? 

Of course, there are alternatives. And for some businesses, these methods may work just fine and make sense for the kind of transactions they process. These include: 

  • Manual processing – where employees input details by hand into a payment terminal or processing software. 
  • Hosted gateways – where a third-party service that processes online payments requires customers to leave the business’s platform and go to a separate payment page to complete their transaction. 
  • Standalone payment processing software – where a business employs a software specifically designed to handle payment transactions independently without being integrated into a larger business application or system. 

As your business grows, considering payment integration might be prudent for anticipating customer needs and making operations more seamless. 

In conclusion… 

In the era of e-commerce and mobile payments, integrating your merchant services solutions is key to staying on top of business growth and meeting your customers’ needs.  

Next issue… 

In the final issue of our two-part series on payment integration, we take a look at payment integration connectors, and how they can save your business even more money on payment processing expenses.  

Rebecca Enter / January 23, 2024

Maintaining Work and Life Balance in 2024

A great personal goal for the year ahead is to prioritize maintaining your work-life balance. Most of us will likely admit that the “life” part of the balance needs more prioritization because after working an 8-hour day and a full week of work, we are tired and struggle with prioritizing personal needs. 

When the weekend rolls around, Business Insider reports, “most people aren’t feeling refreshed or rested after their days off.” People often spend their spare time watching TV, scrolling social media, or relaxing at home, thinking it will help them decompress from responsibilities. As time-management coach Alexis Haselberger says, “it does [help] in the moment, but then it doesn’t. And then we’re scrambling to do all of the things.” 

Does any of this sound familiar? 

Haselberger reports, “a lot of her clients struggle with relaxation and putting work down.” But just like in our diets, to stay healthy and energized for the long haul, people need variety. We tend to fall into a trap of believing we can be productive all the time, however, that is hard, if not impossible, for many individuals to achieve. 

What is work-life balance exactly? 

As an Australian government blog healthdirect explains, “work-life balance is about finding a way to manage the demands of your work or study with your personal life and the things that top you up. 

A good work-life balance means you have harmony (most of the time) between the different aspects of your life. Outside of work you will have time to spend on other things, such as caring for yourself and your family, and leisure activities.” 

So how does one realistically achieve work-life balance? 

In a perfect world, we would all be able to handle the needs of our jobs, personal lives, and feel completely satisfied with our ability to fill our own cup. However, if you’re struggling to achieve that balance, some helpful strategies are practicing time management, setting boundaries, prioritizing relationships, focusing on personal health, and trying new things.  

Laura Vanderkam, the author of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, recommends planning your time by thinking about it in chunks: weekday evenings, weekends into segments for each morning, afternoon, and evening. Viewing your free time with this schedule can help you plan fulfilling moments into your downtime; such as a Friday evening with friends, a Saturday morning spent sleeping in, and chores on Saturday afternoon. Planning out your free time helps keep you from writing unrealistic to-do lists and winding up unsatisfied when you don’t get ‘enough’ done. 

Learning to accept minor things like mess and unorganized workspaces at work and focus on giving yourself a break when you don’t have the energy to cook from scratch or tidy your home leads to lower stress levels. Consciously managing our self-care efforts often leads to better outcomes at work too. If you can find a good balance between work and other demands, you are likely to be happier, more productive, take fewer sick days, and stay in your job for longer. It might take some time, but small daily or weekly habits can make a huge difference in the long run. 

In conclusion… 

Work-life balance is quite difficult to perfect. Often one aspect of your life tips the balance of the scales. Active practice of prioritizing your well-being by taking time to do things you love and maintaining your physical health are top ways to help you prioritize the life part of your balance. Sadly, there is no quick-fix to achieving work-life balance and is a life-long exercise.