What are technology skills? 

Technology skills have become increasingly important in today's digital age! With new advancements in technology emerging constantly, it's essential to stay up to date with the latest tools and trends. From email and online chat to digital portfolios and video chat, these tools have transformed our lives and revolutionised every industry.

Developing your technology skills can help you perform your job tasks more efficiently and navigate this digital world more effectively. The good news is that there are countless resources available to help you learn and grow, no matter your skill level.

So, what are technology skills? Simply put, it's any knowledge or ability related to using technology to solve problems, communicate, or create. Whether you work in IT or not, these skills are becoming increasingly valuable and necessary in today's job market. Anything from sending emails and word processing to data management and user experience (UX) skills. Basically, if it involves technology, you want to be a pro at it.

What is work life balance? 

Work life balance - it's like a juggling act! With a demanding work schedule, it can be tough to find time for "me time," but it's super important for overall happiness and well-being. The definition of work-life balance has changed over the years. It used to be about splitting your time equally between work and personal life, but now we know it's more than that.

It's all about finding that sweet spot between your work and personal life! It's not just about clocking in and out or dividing your time equally. It's about finding the best work life balance for YOU. Think of it like a blend of productivity and playtime. The ultimate work-life balance means you don't have to give up one for the other. You keep on crushing it at work while also discovering fresh and fun ways to unwind during your off-hours.

Maybe you want to make a bigger splash at work and in the world without giving up your personal well-being or happiness? Or what about leaving a positive impact on your little ones? And don't forget, being present in the moment (with actual breathing room to think) is vital!

Prioritising what matters to you (including self-care) should come guilt-free, without any apologies or shame. You've got to have strong boundaries that you feel good about enforcing, and sometimes, you need to let go of trying to do it all.



This means that work-life balance is all about feeling content with who you are and the choices you make. Balance isn't something you stumble upon; you've got to create it yourself. Let’s take a look at why it’s important, along with examples of a good and bad work life balance – and what you can do to change yours!

Is work life Balance Important? 

Remembering why good work life balance is important is crucial to be able to achieve it. Trust us, understanding the importance of work-life balance isn't just a "nice-to-know," it's a "need-to-know" for creating a fulfilling life.

And let's face it, work-life balance is more critical than ever. With the chaotic and demanding workplace landscape, not to mention the blurred lines between work and personal life (thanks, WFH!), we need to get serious about finding that balance. Some of the reasons it’s so important include:

You can boost your wellbeing

Your wellbeing is a top priority - both physically and mentally. A healthy balance can help you to avoid undue stress and burnout. A balanced lifestyle keeps stress levels low, prevents physical health issues and helps you perform better at work. A happy mind leads to a healthy body.

Unleash your creativity and productivity

A work-life balance isn't just about feeling good; it's about working better and having a bigger impact. When you're not overworking you give your mind time to recharge and unleash untapped creativity. Productivity skyrockets when you have time to relax and switch off from work. A fresh perspective also allows for better problem-solving and creative thinking. So, say no to constant overtime and enjoy the benefits of a balanced work-life.

Embrace mindfulness

Mindfulness is the key to living in the moment and being present in all aspects of life. A healthy work-life balance enhances mindfulness, allowing you to focus on what's important. A stress-free mind keeps you calm, attentive and responsive at work and home.

Find your happiness

Life is too short to not love what you do. A balanced work-life means finding happiness in both your professional and personal life. Overworking can cause you to lose interest in your job and lead to stress and subsequent. Balancing work and personal life helps to improve job satisfaction and enhances personal relationships.

Build stronger relationships

Building strong relationships takes time and effort. Overworking can negatively impact your personal relationships and hinder your career growth. A balanced work-life means dedicating equal time and effort to your professional and personal relationships. Strong relationships inside and outside the workplace can enhance your career and overall happiness. So, work hard, but also enjoy quality time with loved ones!

A good work life balance is important for both mental health and productivity and without it, the consequences can put far too much stress on your body. 

Examples of good work life balance 

Are you looking for new ways to enhance your work life balance? We've got some examples of a good work life balance to help you set some boundaries as a top-notch employee and understand how you can foster balance within your working and personal life. This gives you a chance to seek out that sweet spot you’ve been looking for:

1. You take time to plan ahead. By planning ahead and combining work with leisure, social, or fitness activities, you can take your productivity and well-being to the next level. Say goodbye to boring virtual meetings back-to-back and hello to refreshing walks while you attend them. Take your work outside, call a friend, or even invite them over to co-work with you. Who said work can't be fun?
2. You get creative with how you tackle your workload. Choosing to embrace the quirks of your mind gives you the chance to try some cool productivity hacks. When you are in a cycle of procrastination because you’re too stressed to remember it all, you give the Pomodoro technique a go and work in short, laser-focused bursts. By not allowing anything else to interrupt you, you can blitz through your tasks like a pro.
3. You’re unchaining yourself from the instant message addiction at work. Instead of relying on instant messages, you take the time to divide your work tasks into chunks of time. By setting aside a specific time for checking and responding to messages, another time for meetings, and a time to tackle mentally challenging tasks, you give yourself a structure. You schedule these tasks around the times when you're naturally most productive. Get ready to rock and roll through your workday!
4. You no longer let work creep into your personal time. An excellent example of a good work life balance is that you are enforcing boundaries in your working day. There is absolutely a time and place for overtime, but if you get into the habit of doing it too often it becomes the expectation from your team. Remember the golden rule: work hard, play hard.
5. You’re leaning on technology to help you to maintain that balance. By getting on your side you can give yourself a digital detox. There are plenty of apps out there to block websites that distract you during the day and you are using them effectively.

These examples of a good work life balance can help you to determine whether you’ve got it – or not, as the case may be!

Examples of poor work life balance 

Finding balance in life can be challenging, but it's not impossible! Sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be. By prioritising our wellbeing and taking an honest look at our habits - from mental and physical health to spirituality and work - we can create a life that's fulfilling and balanced.

Let's check out some examples of what NOT to do when it comes to work-life balance! Take a closer look and see if you need to make some changes to your routine, or if you're already living your best balanced life:

1. You're working too much. We all love work, but when it takes over your personal life, you might be heading towards burnout. You’re not taking breaks, you’re not enjoying life outside of work and you are perpetually tense.
2. You're working unsustainable hours. Overtime – it can be fun if you’re doing it to earn a little extra cash, but you’re not setting a proper a cut-off time or enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation.
3. You're not getting enough sleep. You’re exhausted, but you’re not sleeping properly and that’s having an impact on your working life as much as other areas. Without that crucial rest, you’re less sharp and less productive at work, home, and with friends.
4. Work is all you can think about. When you're off the clock, you are not switching off and focusing on other things. You’re putting work tasks before friendships and relationships with your family. You’ve made work your hobby because it’s bleeding into your personal life.
5. You're not exercising enough. We know that sitting all day is bad for your health and so is not working up a sweat, but you’re just not doing it because you’re too exhausted from work to move much.
6. If these examples are looking a little too familiar, then working to make changes will help to improve your work and your personal life. Grabbing that balance with both hands can be a gamechanger.

How to improve work life balance 

If you are finding that your work life balance is poor, you might consider looking for another job. Of course, you can speak to your employer first and tell them what’s happening and how you may not be coping. It can be a tough conversation, however, as you don’t want them to think that you cannot do your job. It’s important to remember that it’s not about that; this is about ensuring that you know that your work and your personal life both matter, but should run together in harmony with each other. If your current employer has expectations that are too demanding and they’re not willing to budge, that’s when you start looking for an employer who will!

At WOW Recruitment, we’re all about helping our candidates to strike that balance they’re trying to achieve, so we've got some fantastic ideas for making changes that stick below. You could give them a try one by one or tackle a bunch at once – it’s totally up to you. Keep in mind that discovering the perfect fit for you takes time and patience, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight. Let's make balancing work and play a fun and achievable goal! Here are some tips to help you kick-start your journey:

Step back and assess how your life is going. Take a breather and think about how each part of your life is affecting the other. It's like playing a game of "connect the dots" to see how your work and personal life are interconnected. Ask yourself questions like:

• Am I spending enough time doing the things I love?
• Do I have enough quality time with my loved ones?
• Am I still feeling motivated to achieve my goals?

Identify what's important to you. Once you've assessed your current situation, the next step is to determine what your priorities are. It's time to get real with yourself and ask:

• What do I really value in my life?
• What can I compromise on? What can't I?
• What alternative actions can I take to achieve my goals and strengthen my relationships?
• Where can I find ways to integrate my responsibilities to make the most of my time?

Manage your time better. Knowing what's important to you means that you can better manage your time. Whether it's setting aside specific chunks of time for work, leisure, and family time, or creating a system to prioritise your tasks, there are plenty of time management strategies that you can try out.

Set boundaries. Establishing boundaries is key to making your work-life balance work. You need to be clear on what you are willing to compromise on and what you're not. This can range from physical boundaries (like not checking work emails after hours) to emotional boundaries (like not taking work home with you).

Stay committed. Achieving balance is an ongoing process that requires patience, dedication, and the occasional pivot. It's important to reflect on your approach and refine it as needed. Keep track of your progress and be sure to celebrate your successes! With the right mindset, balance can be a fun and rewarding experience.

If you’re in need of guidance when it comes to finding an employer interested in giving you the work life balance you need, the best thing you can do is to contact our team of talented WOWzers. We’re here to help you to maintain that coveted balance in a role you’ll love!