How Agents Can Get The Best Work-Life Balance

Choosing a career in insurance means making a commitment to hard work and doing what needs to be done to bring yourself a certain level of success. Whether you’re pounding the pavement and meeting with clients or sitting at your desk doing all of the administrative things that come with the job, you’re likely to be ALL IN in order to make it work. And as with success of any kind, this usually means some things have to be sacrificed and our personal lives are usually the first to take a hit. 

But there are ways to give yourself more balance when it comes to tackling your career while still making time for family, friends and the things that really make your life whole. It’s just a matter of taking action to insure that you maintain that  balance. For many insurance agents who enjoy their version of a healthy life balance, it began by making just a few small changes. Here are few suggestions that we’ve learned can make a big difference.

MAKE A PROMISE TO MAKE IT WORK
Imbalances between work and life will occur. However, committing to finding your life balance is a tremendous first step in reducing stress and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Let your partner know about your goal to seek balance and let them hold you accountable. 

BE SERIOUS ABOUT BOUNDARIES
Clients are demanding, and so is your family. It is important to understand your personal limits and project how the commitments made today could affect tomorrow. Life balance begins with daily balance. Let your clients and prospects know ahead of time what they can expect. Many successful agents will use their outgoing email and voicemail message to let others know they will return all messages after a specific time in the afternoon. 

LET GO AND LET OTHERS DO FOR YOUR
Insurance agents who learn how to delegate responsibilities are able to free up more time both personally and professionally. Seek to delegate routine office tasks as well as household chores. The additional time added to your day can be used to prospect for new business and spend more quality time with your family. 

How you delegate is entirely up to you. For household chores, consider hiring a cleaning service or enlisting the help of your children in exchange for an allowance. At work, use technology to delegate and monitor workflow between you and your employees for daily operational responsibilities. 
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STAY CONNECTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
Between work, family, and taking care of yourself, it may seem there is no time left over for socializing. But socializing is very important in maintaining a healthy life balance. Visiting with friends in social settings allows you to drop your guard and share experiences. 

Spending time with your social group also serves as a reminder you are not alone in the pursuit of balancing a career with your family. If you believe you do not have time for a neighborhood barbecue or a night out on the town, think again. Like anything else, make social time a priority in your monthly calendar and never miss out sharing the journey of life with your closest friends. 

DON’T FORGET YOURSELF
Life balance is often thought of as a two-part equation: family and work. However, a very important third pillar exists that requires attention – yourself. Your mind and body need the opportunity to rest and recover. Perhaps the most important step in achieving life balance is to set aside time for yourself every day.

Close yourself off from family, work, social media, and the rest of the outside world for as little as 15 minutes and find a renewed self. Use this time to meditate, stretch, or any other activity that will allow you to stop and de-stress. 

​These are just a few of the ways agents can take control of their work-life balance to ensure they aren't tipping the scales too much one way or the other. Staying on top of the things that can pull you away from your loved ones and your personal life will help you create a balance that works for you in and out of the office.