Finding success at work is important, but so is your personal life. Putting in overtime at the office or at home can cause you to miss out on precious moments with loved ones. Leaving the office overworked or unhappy each day can add stress to your relationships as well.

Working hard does not mean you have to sacrifice a life outside the office. If your relationships are suffering because of your job, it might be time to reevaluate your priorities and consider dialing it back. Here are four ways to better manage your work-life to have a more balanced life as a whole.

Four Ways to Strike a Healthy Work-Life Balance

1. Set Boundaries

Your personal life is important, so it’s time to start guarding it better. Create ground rules for yourself and your colleagues, establishing the hours you will be in the office and when you can be reached at home. Exceptions will probably need to be made from time-to-time, as urgent issues arise, but setting general boundaries sets expectations and serves as a great guiding principle.

Boundaries go both ways, so try to keep distractions of a personal manner to a minimum while at the office. Limiting contact with family and friends during work hours will allow you to accomplish more. In turn, you can spend quality time with them once you are off the clock.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

An inefficient use of time might be partly to blame for your long work hours. Avoid long, non-work-related chats with colleagues and meetings where your presence is not necessary. Stay on track by making a list each morning of the things you need to accomplish before heading home for the day. When you find your time is being wasted elsewhere, politely excuse yourself.

3. Seek Flexibility

Some jobs require strict working hours and an on-site presence, but this isn’t necessary for every position. If you have no need to be in the office during certain hours — or even at all some days — request a flexible schedule. Having an earlier shift to accommodate your kids’ school schedule or working from home two days per week to avoid a long commute can help you strike a better balance.

4. Know Your Limits

Try as you might, you are not superhuman. Speak up when your boss piles one assignment too many on your desk. Any employer worth your talents understands the benefits of a work-life balance and respects you enough to want you to enjoy personal and professional fulfillment. If you readily accept all projects sent your way, no one will realize you have too much on your plate.

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