In a fast-paced industry like Interior Design, it can be easy to let the work-life balance scale tip in the direction of overworking. With calls and emails flooding in from clients and vendors, shifting budgets and deadlines, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle.
So how do you ensure the mental health and wellbeing of your team? How do you balance the demands of a successful business and its clients with the needs of your employees? It’s possible with clear boundaries, taking time away from the business and by streamlining your processes. We’ve compiled a list of 5 habits you can implement to promote a healthy work-life balance within your firm.
1. COMMUNICATION
Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the easiest to miss. Maintaining open lines of communication between you and your team is vital. If your employees feel they can be honest about their physical and mental health, without fear of judgment or penalty, it’s easier to foster a healthy work environment. Establishing regular check-ins with team members to establish which out-of-office stressors they’re dealing with will allow you to plan ahead more effectively and anticipate any potential roadblocks.
2. ENCOURAGE BREAKS DURING THE WORKDAY
The workday of an interior design team hardly fits into the classic 9 to 5 format. With multiple locations and multiple stakeholders to keep track of, it’s easy to skip a meal (or two), leaving you and your team feeling drained and depleted. But it’s important to encourage regular breaks throughout the day, as stepping back can increase productivity, energy and the flow of new ideas. Breaks don’t have to be extensive but reminding your team to take 5-10 minutes for themselves every few hours can do wonders for their mental health and morale.
3. SET BOUNDARIES WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM
Leaving work at the door is easier said than done but there are ways to set healthy boundaries without blocking the flow of efficient work. By streamlining your processes (so you’re not doing the same work twice) you can lighten your team’s workload and relieve some of the worry. Having clear avenues for client communication can also help a great deal.
Using appropriate software, DesignDocs for example, can allow you to gain client approvals, order items and track finances without numerous calls eating up your valuable time. Being able to record hours for flat-rate projects can even help you track the unseen work that goes into a project (plus gain a better understanding of its profitability).
4. PRIORITIZE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Overworking yourself can lead to more significant health problems and unwanted time off in the future. It’s important for you and your team to pay close attention to the signs of potential burnout before it’s too late to intervene. Offering team members access to mental health support, providing beverages and snacks in the office or simply keeping the firm a “safe-space” to discuss overall health can do a lot to prevent the need for extended time off.
5. UTILIZE TIME OFF AND DAYS OFF
Another excellent way to avoid extended time off is to encourage team members to take time off throughout the year so they can relax and recharge with loved ones. Some of our busiest business periods can coincide with school holidays and other family or cultural down-times. Being proactive, for example with year-end and filing taxes, can enable team members to take time off during an otherwise chaotic time. For those who need convincing to take time off, remind them they have earned this time with all their hard work and dedication.
These healthy habits can go a long way towards fostering a happy, productive firm. Streamlined processes can take this work-life balanced approach to the next level. Want to see how DesignDocs could streamline your workflow? Book a demo.
