Every Man’s Hack To Finding Balance: How Personal Time Impacts Your Marriage and Career

We've all been there or probably still there: caught between deadline pressures at work and a spouse who misses quality time together. They may even argue that we were more around at the early days of the marriage than now but how do we sincerely express that we’re having a hard time finding a balance between building a successful career and being the ever loving husband? It’s exhausting! Meanwhile, you are getting out of shape too because your fitness class keeps getting pushed to "next week." Personal time often feels like a luxury many men can't afford and they are constantly experiencing burnout. But here's the truth I was able to learn very early in marriage: making time for yourself isn't selfish, it is in fact essential for both your marriage and career success. I decided to share these life hacks that have helped me win in marriage and career. I hope this helps you find the balance you need to excel in your career and marriage too. Cheers! Why Will Your Personal Time Cost You More? When was the last time you did something just for you? If you're struggling to remember, you're not alone. Recent studies suggest that over 60% of professionals feel guilty about taking personal time, viewing it as a detriment to their productivity or relationships. However, this is not true! As someone who values productivity myself, I can tell you for a fact that your choice to incorporate personal time can either make or mar you. Think of personal time like recharging your phone or PC. You wouldn't expect your gadgets to run indefinitely without power, so why expect that from yourself? Impact of Personal Time on Marriage Your relationship with your spouse can suffer in subtle ways when you don't prioritize personal time and these two major categories detail the experience of many men who struggle with finding a balance. The Overflow Effect - Your work stress often spills into home life because you do not have personal time to decompress. - Your wife becomes an emotional dumping ground rather than a companion - Conversations between the both of you revolve around complaints rather than connections The Dependency Trap - You begin to rely solely on your spouse for emotional fulfillment and that creates unhealthy pressure for her. - You loss your individual identity outside work and that breeds resentment - Your shared experiences become less meaningful because you don't have personal stories to bring to the table Effect of Personal Time on Career Surprisingly, you would later find out that the personal time you have been skipping to take on more work can hinder rather than help your career growth. You’ll experience; - Decreased creativity and problem-solving abilities - Higher risk of burnout and reduced productivity - Limited perspective due to lack of diverse experiences - Diminished emotional intelligence from constant work focus 4 Proven Life Hacks: Practical Steps to Reclaim Your Time & Find Balance 1. Start Small Don't aim for dramatic changes immediately, it won’t happen in a day or a week either. Begin with 15-30 minutes of dedicated personal time daily. Maybe it's reading a book during lunch instead of answering emails, or taking a morning walk before diving into family responsibilities. Make sure you have time to pause, reflect and refresh. 2. Schedule Like It's Non-Negotiable You have not had control of your personal time because you are yet to set and prioritize your boundaries. You can no longer continue to say “yes” to everything. Block out personal time in your calendar and treat it with the same importance as you would a client meeting. Your family and work colleagues will also need an update so make sure to communicate these boundaries clearly. 3. Quality Over Quantity The corporate world typically thrives on quantity e.g the number of hours you spend at work and you are probably used to that by now. However, to make your personal time count, you must learn to choose quality over quantity! Choose activities that truly rejuvenate you, focus on being fully present rather than multitasking and vary your activities to engage different parts of your personality. 4. Create Win-Win Scenarios The aim of finding balance is to ensure you can win in both afterall. We don’t want your career or spouse to suffer at the expense of your newly created personal time so it’s okay to create win-win scenarios as you grow. Look for opportunities where personal time can benefit multiple areas. You can join a professional networking group that aligns with your interests, take up a hobby that can become a family activity or use exercise time to listen to industry podcasts Making It Work: Activities You Should Add to Your To-Do List This Week For Your Marriage: - Share your personal time goals with your spouse - Encourage them to pursue their own interests - Use personal growth as conversation starters rather than a work scenario. - Plan activities that allow both together time and alone time. Ask them to join you in the planning. . For Your Career: - Set clear boundaries around work hours. Work stops when work closes. - Use personal experiences to enhance workplace creativity - Join an hobby group - Develop skills during your free time that complement your career The Benefits of Personal Time For Men When you prioritize personal time, you'll likely notice: - More energy for both work and family - Fresh perspectives on problems - Increased patience in challenging situations - Better emotional intelligence - Stronger sense of identity It's Okay To Have “Me-Time”! Remember, personal time isn't a selfish indulgence, it's an investment into your relationships and career success. Start by identifying one area where you can create time for yourself this week. Maybe it's waking up 30 minutes earlier for meditation, or blocking out your lunch hour for a hobby. Make sure to take the first step this week! The key is consistency over perfection. You might miss a day or need to adjust your schedule, but keep returning to the practice of prioritizing personal time. Your marriage, career, and most importantly, your well-being will thank you for it. By making personal time a non-negotiable part of your routine, you're not just improving your own life: you're setting an example for your spouse, colleagues, and anyone else watching you navigate the delicate balance of modern life. To read more valuable tips that will improve your life as a man, check www.ayodejianifowose.com