Realign Your Priorities: Create Work-Life Balance and Focus on What Matters
- Keren Harris
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
When you’re stuck in Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat and can't seem to find time for anything else, it can be really hard to see a way forwards. But, what if I told you that just by taking a few simple steps you could get your life back on track and aligned with how you want to live?
Are you ready to take a fresh look at what's going on and how you're spending your time? The things you are telling yourself that might be keeping you stuck in this cycle? Some simple tips that could change make a huge difference?
There are only so many hours in the day but it’s how we use those hours and how we think about them that can change the way we live and how happy and satisfied we feel. So here goes, my simple but effective tips that have really helped me:
Organisation is key
If you spend every evening after work “popping” to the shops to get something to eat, you aren't able to use that time for something that gives you energy.
Food: Plan ahead
So instead try making a meal plan. Working full time with 3 children I had to be organised, and I still do this now. Once a week, plan what you will eat throughout the day. If you can do an online shop, this saves even more time as it all arrives at your door.
Doing a shop for the week or at least a few days frees up time every day and headspace. The decisions are made, so you can spend that energy doing something you enjoy. If you're not sure where to begin with the planner, download mine to get you started.
Clothes: Simplify your mornings
The same goes for clothes. Think about what you're going to wear this week and put your outfits together on hangers so that you know you've got it covered.
This will prevent you standing in a floordrobe and making yourself late, because you didn't have time to iron something and you’re having a major clothing dilemma. Trust me, these are so simple but effective time savers. They give you headspace and room to be.
Home: Create a calm environment
I know I sound like Stacey Solomon but how your home looks, feels even smells can make a huge difference to how much energy you have and how aligned you feel. By keeping it tidy, clutter free and bright you have space to just be.
Lighting a candle when you get home or have finished work and have cleared your workspace signifies that this is your time, a space to be calm and relax. This might all feel easier said than done when you’re in the Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat cycle, but give it a go, spend a couple of hours getting organised and see how it makes you feel.
Social media: Set boundaries
Staying on top of your social media can also be a major drain on time, and is something that comes up often when I’m working with clients who want to get their lives back. So you might be asking, how do you do it without ghosting people?
A few simple tips are:
Acknowledge messages with emojis
Send a short reply: “Thanks for your message, I’ll get back to you soon”
Protect time to respond thoughtfully later
These small boundaries help you stay focused on your priorities without feeling guilty.
Work
Having clear boundaries around your work time is key to regaining a good work/life balance and preventing burnout.
Set clear work-life boundaries:
Decide when your workday starts and ends
Avoid checking emails outside work hours
Give yourself permission to switch off
These steps help maintain balance and prevent burnout.
See my blog on Setting Boundaries at Work for more tips around this.
Decide your priorities
Next step is to set your priorities. With the time you’ve got back by being more organised you can now think about what you want to do outside of work. You can stretch your day by waking up earlier or doing something in the evenings.
By choosing to add more into your day, from a walk in the park at lunchtime, a run or a class in the evenings, whatever you opt for, the fact that you are making intentional decisions shifts the balance from life being one where there is no time to think and be yourself to a life where you have time to do what you want to do.
Priorities mapping exercise: Find your next step
If you’re unsure where to start, this simple exercise can help realign your priorities and clarify your next steps.
Step 1 – List key areas of life
Write down the main areas you focus on:
Career, Health, Relationships, Personal Growth, Hobbies, Rest
Step 2 – Rate your energy
Next to each area, note how much energy it gives or drains you (scale 1–10).
Step 3 – Identify what matters most
Ask yourself:
Which areas need more attention?
Which areas could be reduced?
Which areas give me the most satisfaction?
Step 4 – Choose one small action
Pick one step this week that moves you closer to your ideal balance:
Protect personal time in the evenings
Start a short morning ritual
Set boundaries at work
Explore a new career focus or project
Small, consistent steps often create the biggest momentum.
Regain energy and balance
You don’t need to have everything figured out to start realigning your priorities.
By taking small, intentional steps and focusing on what matters most, you can create work-life balance, regain energy, and feel more aligned with your life.
The answers are already within you, sometimes you just need the space and tools to uncover them.
Want support to find your next step?
At Coaching Real Life, I help you clarify your priorities, create balance, and take actionable steps toward the life you really want. Book a free discovery call to find out more.
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