Labour of love: tips for balancing work and love

More love, less work. As much as you love work, don't let it get in the way of a harmonious home life.

More love, less work. As much as you love work, don't let it get in the way of a harmonious home life.

Do you or your partner make personal sacrifices for your career? It’s natural if you’re ambitious.

We often see more of our colleagues in waking hours than our partners, says Jacqui Barratt, recruiter at Jobs With Salt. Read on. It’s simple to create a better work/love balance.

• Cupid’s arrow 1. Transition to home time. You’ve had a hard day, says Barratt, the traffic on the way home is terrible. Even so, always make sure you transition from work to home space when you walk in the door. Cherish your loved ones by dedicating the first hour at home to them and banishing work from the conversation. Try reading Third Space by Dr Adam Fraser if you need advice on how to transition.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 2. Give unconditional support. Your job is hard and your days long, but your partner also has stresses and strains. Partnership is a two-way trade. Acknowledge his or her day-to-day problems and discuss yours as well. Being open and talking about your needs is essential for a great relationship.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 3. Take lunch dates with your loved one. Everyone needs a break from work during the day. Why not meet your partner for lunch once a week? Make a date of it and take 45 minutes to an hour to just be together. You’ll go back to work rejuvenated.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 4. Have a date night. Make one night a week sacred and do something together – whether it’s going to the movies, having a picnic, or playing Yahtze.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 5. Write love notes to your other half. You’re both busy. Or one of you is always out of town. Find simple ways to remind the other one how much you love him or her. That could be by leaving love notes when you go away, sending texts or even posting a good old fashioned card or letter.  
   
• Cupid’s arrow 6. Exchange ‘get out of jail free vouchers’. It’s hard working long hours and you may come home tired and grumpy just to find your other half is fuming that your undies have been lying in the bathroom all day.  Find innovative ways to clear the air such as vouchers for forgiveness.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 7. Ask your partner for work advice. Even if you work in different industries you can still share. It keeps you involved in each other’s day-to-day lives. You may, for example, need advice about an interpersonal problem at work, and your partner just might have the answer.
   
• Cupid’s arrow 8. Unplug one day of the week. It’s hard to smooch with someone who jumps every time there’s a beep from his or her phone. Take yourselves off the grid one day a week at least. Agree to turn the sound off on your devices, or even TURN THEM OFF. It’s mighty hard to do this, but can be a real boost to your love life.