As a company that works in the vacation rental software and management business, VRM knows the ins and outs of this line of work and how overwhelming it can be for those in this ever-changing industry. Since it's the middle of the calendar year (hard to believe, right?), we thought we'd check in on vacation rental managers to see how you're doing. We know the demands of your job can be all-consuming, so just know that we see you and recognize you. 

Even if you're not in the vacation rental management field, this mid-year checkup applies to you, too. Work-life balance is tricky business these days in any career, and we want to make sure that we are all being mindful of how our time and energy are being consumed on a daily basis. It doesn't matter whether you work from home or in an office—this is no easy task to manage. If you struggle with this, just know that you're not alone. 

There is hope! When we see work and non-work life as two opposing forces, it's much harder to find that proverbial perfect "balance". But if we view them as forces that should work together in harmony in our lives, it's a more achievable concept. (Watch the video at the end of this post for more insight on this perspective.)

So back to the original question: How is your work-life balance, or better said, your work-life harmony? Consider asking yourself the following questions and doing a quick check-in with yourself. You're worth it!

What is my definition of work-life balance?

Since everyone is different, this answer will vary depending on who you ask. Generally speaking, work-life balance involves satisfying the need for meaningful, daily achievement and enjoyment in four parts of life: work, family, friends, and self. Work-life balance is definitely not an equal division among these parts of your life. In fact it often changes over time and depends upon your current circumstances, so it is fluid. Work-life balance is also not a one-size-fits-all concept. We are each unique when it comes to how we live our lives, what our priorities are, and what goals we have set. Your work-life balance is what works best for YOU in those above-mentioned areas of life. You can read more a more indepth definition of work-life balance here.

How do I know if my work-life balance is off? 

Now that you have a working definition of work-life balance, how do you know if it's off? You can read this article and see if you identify with these signs, but you probably already know intuitively how you're doing by how you're feeling. Imbalances have a way of presenting themselves loud and clear in the form of your thoughts, your mental and emotional outlook, your physical health, and your overall sense of well-being. It's best not to ignore these imbalances but to strive to find solutions that will help balance out the scales. 

What can I do to better harmonize my personal and professional life? 

Now that you're more mindful of your current work-life status, what can you do to fix an imbalance? A lot. The good news is that there are many ways for you to reset and work toward greater harmony among all the things in your life, personally and professionally. Once you identify where you are now and where you want to be, you've already taken the first step toward change. Here are some additional steps you can take to help yourself get back on track to a better state of being and working.

Recommended Video: The RIGHT Way to Do Work-Life Balance

This video offers not-so-traditional ways that employees and employers can improve in this area. While all of it may not be possible depending on where you work, the concepts presented here are well worth pondering in this modern work world which we are a part of. Watch, listen, and let us know what you think!