Here's how you can maintain work-life balance in a sustainability career.

Being a professional in sustainability requires resilience and endurance. It is also very easy to get lost in the maze of sustainability topics. Three success factors are essential for me to keep the balance: 1| Focus - you will be challenged by different opinions and shifting priorities; stay focused on the material topics and be willing to make compromises 2| Achievements - society and businesses always look at the big picture and major milestones to take; appreciate small progress without losing sight of the big goals 3| Network - sustainability is a team-sport; pair up with peers within and outside your company to get support and share experiences I admire everybody who is willing to face this challenging career - keep it up!

Sustainability professionals are generally passionate in the area in their personal lives and want to ensure their career drives more purpose and impact. As a result it is easy to blur the lines between personal and professional as there are so many complex problems that need urgent action. However - it is not a lonesome path and in my experience many individuals want to help out but often do not know where to start. Engaging these people and delegating tasks can give them clear focus and help drive a sustainability culture within the organization and have a far greater impact than anything you can do on your own

In a nutshell, effective time management is crucial for sustainability professionals balancing diverse responsibilities. By prioritizing tasks using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix, you ensure that urgent and significant matters take precedence, minimizing stress and creating space for personal well-being. This approach not only enhances productivity but also fosters a healthier work-life balance, essential for sustained success in the field of sustainability.

Para manter o equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional em uma carreira de sustentabilidade, priorizar tarefas é crucial. Comece definindo objetivos claros de curto e longo prazo, tanto pessoais quanto profissionais. Use métodos como a Matriz de Eisenhower para classificar as tarefas em urgentes/importantes, permitindo focar no que realmente impacta seus objetivos. Aprenda a dizer "não" a demandas que desviam do seu foco. Incorporar práticas de atenção plena ajuda a manter a concentração e a reduzir o estresse. Estabeleça limites saudáveis entre trabalho e vida pessoal, dedicando tempo para si mesmo, família e hobbies. A tecnologia pode ser uma aliada na organização e na automação de tarefas.

Stop. Breath. Relax. Nobody wants to deal with an elephant in the room. In order to avoid the bigger problem, it needs to be dealt on time, and step by step. Time management is crucial to optimize effort and to prioritize tasks. This mindset is successful both in the workplace and at home. A sustainable approach would be to stop working for emergencies and start focusing on building a strategy plan where you can have an overview of what do you want to achieve in a year time.

Primeiro, defina claramente o horário de trabalho, reservando tempo para descanso e atividades pessoais. Comunique esses limites a colegas e superiores, buscando compreensão e respeito mútuos. Aprenda a delegar tarefas, confiando na equipe para manter a produtividade sem sobrecarregar-se. Estabeleça um espaço de trabalho dedicado, separando fisicamente as áreas de trabalho e lazer, o que ajuda na transição entre os modos profissional e pessoal. Por fim, pratique a desconexão digital após o trabalho, evitando e-mails e chamadas profissionais fora do horário, para recarregar as energias e manter a saúde mental.

Setting clear boundaries is essential in avoiding burnout, particularly in demanding fields like sustainability. By defining your work hours and communicating them effectively, you establish expectations for both you and others. This not only protects your personal time but also promotes respect for your well-being among colleagues and clients. Remember, prioritizing self-care and leisure activities is not a luxury but a necessity for long-term success and fulfilment in your career.

I'm also a big fan of the pomodoro technique: setting a timer and working productivity for 25 minutes and then taking a short 5-minute break has helped me immensely to focus and not let myself be distracted so easily. It also helps to gain an understanding of how much time I actually need for different types of tasks.

Estabelecer bem as fronteiras, reservar espaço para as atividades. Por exemplo eu defino horários, reservo o fim de semana e também dou bónus em tempo porque estar bem pessoalmente é importante para estar bem profissionalmente...

Flexibility is a valuable asset in navigating the demands of a sustainability career. Embracing flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or adjusted hours, can enhance your overall well-being by offering greater control over your schedule. This approach not only fosters work-life balance but also promotes efficiency and adaptability in meeting both professional and personal commitments. However, it's essential to establish clear boundaries and create a conducive workspace to ensure productivity and maintain focus while working remotely.

Inicie estabelecendo uma rotina que permita adaptabilidade, priorizando tarefas sem sacrificar bem-estar. Adote um mindset aberto a mudanças e novas formas de trabalho, como horários flexíveis e teletrabalho, para melhor encaixe entre compromissos pessoais e profissionais. Comunique-se claramente com sua equipe sobre sua necessidade de flexibilidade, buscando soluções conjuntas que beneficiem todos. Aproveite a tecnologia para manter a produtividade em diferentes ambientes. Ser flexível também significa saber quando pausar, reconhecendo a importância de recarregar as energias para manter a eficácia.

Take advantage of flexible working arrangements whenever possible to better manage the demands of both your professional and personal life. Having the ability to adjust your work hours, work from home, or even compress your work week can help accommodate personal commitments such as family activities, appointments, or simply managing daily stressors. This flexibility allows you to plan your work around your life rather than the other way around, which can significantly reduce stress and increase your overall job satisfaction. Being able to adapt your work schedule to fit in personal priorities can also prevent burnout and maintain your enthusiasm and productivity at work.

Wenn man einen Job gefunden hat, der zu den eigenen Werten passt, wird es einfacher eine Work-Life-Balance zu erlangen. Man will unbedingt das Problem lösen, das einen so sehr aufregt. Dann sitzt man gerne am Computer. Wenn man Remote arbeitet und nicht an Arbeitszeiten gebunden ist, dann gleicht man Überstunden automatisch aus.

Flexible thinking. The ability to see an issue from multiple perspectives and work towards win-win outcomes. The ability to work flexibly is so beneficial too. Focusing on one task at a time, breaking it down and collaborating with others to find solutions. Continuing to simplify this will benefit us all.

Spend time in nature. It is both beneficial to your health and well-being but can also increase your environmental concern and thus contribute to your passion for your work.

Prioritizing self-care is essential for sustaining your passion and energy in the demanding field of sustainability. By investing time in activities that nourish your well-being, like exercise and meditation, you not only recharge your batteries but also foster resilience to tackle challenges effectively. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't selfish; it's a strategic move that ensures you can continue making meaningful contributions to sustainability efforts in the long run.

Focar no autocuidado é essencial para manter o equilíbrio em uma carreira de sustentabilidade. Comece estabelecendo uma rotina diária que inclua atividades de bem-estar, como exercícios físicos, alimentação saudável e momentos de relaxamento. Dedicar tempo à natureza pode reforçar a conexão com os princípios de sustentabilidade da sua carreira. Praticar mindfulness e meditação ajuda a reduzir o estresse e a manter a clareza mental. É importante também estabelecer limites saudáveis, aprendendo a dizer não quando necessário para evitar o esgotamento. Priorize o sono de qualidade, pois ele é fundamental para a recuperação física e mental.

Quando conseguimos cuidar de nós mesmos, conseguimos cuidar de outras áreas de nossa vida. A partir do momento em que estamos bem e com autoestima, vivemos de forma melhor e podemos nos doar pra outras pessoas de uma forma melhor. O cuidado, o descanso, nos ajuda a organizar as ideias, projetos e fazem bem para a saúde. Para que eu possa conseguir sustentar ou auxiliar o próximo, eu preciso estar bem. Podemos citar como exemplo as instruções que recemos quando estamos no avião. Primeiro passo é colocamos as máscaras e oxigênio em nós e depois auxiliamos os demais. Exatamente porque se não estivermos a “salvo” não há como salvar os demais. O auto cuidado é muito importante para que o cuidado com o próximo seja sempre de forma genuína.

Finding harmony between your professional commitments and personal well-being is pivotal, especially in the realm of sustainability. It starts with prioritizing self-care and nurturing oneself. With over two decades of experience in consulting and facilitating corporate sustainability training, I consistently emphasize the significance and provide tools for discovering your "sweet spot." This equilibrium enables you to radiate outward from a centered place, aligning your efforts with your team's and the strategic sustainability goals of your organization.

Delegar funções é essencial para manter o equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional, especialmente em carreiras focadas em sustentabilidade. Primeiro, identifique tarefas que outros podem realizar com eficiência, permitindo que você se concentre em atividades onde sua expertise é indispensável. Estabeleça critérios claros de sucesso para essas tarefas e escolha colaboradores com habilidades complementares às suas. A comunicação é chave: explique objetivos, prazos e expectativas detalhadamente. Acompanhe o progresso, oferecendo feedback construtivo e reconhecimento.

El arte de delegar requiere un coraje especial. Va más allá de la mera distribución de tareas, implica confiar en el potencial de tu equipo y reconocer tus propias limitaciones. Al ceder responsabilidades estratégicamente, no solo aligeras tu carga, sino que también cultivas un ambiente de colaboración y crecimiento mutuo. Delegar es un acto de valentía que empodera a otros y fortalece el tejido de tu equipo, generando resultados más sólidos y satisfactorios.

Delegating tasks is like distributing the weight evenly in a team's backpack during a challenging hike. By trusting each member to carry their share, you not only ease your burden but also empower them to contribute their skills and expertise. It's a win-win situation that promotes efficiency and strengthens team cohesion, ultimately leading to greater success in achieving sustainability goals.

Antes de delegar, o importante é engajar todos para o seu papel, através do envolvimento estratégico participativo. Afinal, delegar e não se entender o pretendido. É como o exemplo da empresa xpto que ocupa uma das primeiras posições em sustentabilidade, mas mais de 60% dos seus colaboradores não sabe o que significa a palavra sustentabilidade !

Continuous learning has played a crucial role in my life, shaping both my personal, and professional journey. I've experienced its transformative power firsthand, and I strive to cultivate a culture of continuous learning within my sustainability practice and anyone within my sphere of influence. I consider investing in training in sustainability, leadership, wellbeing, mindfulness, etc. for myself and my team a non-negotiable aspect of my annual budget. In a rapidly evolving field like sustainability, staying up to date with industry trends and global developments is paramount. Therefore, dedicating resources to ongoing education is essential for remaining effective and relevant in our work, and I recommend my clients do the same.

A atualização profissional é um dever... tudo muda e cada vez mais rápido, também as oportunidades de aprender existem, por isso devemos reservar tempo para atualização, sendo selectivos e com planeamento.

Sometimes, Inspite of various attempts and efforts, one may still feel burnt out or gets overwhelmed with work. In such scenario, one must seek and foster rejuvenating triggers. These can be different from person to person but often playing with pets, talking to children, reading or writing are such mediums which allow distraction of mind and improve physical endurance. Also, such ‘vents’ yields a different perspective, which helps in lowering work related stresses.

Para balancear la vida y el trabajo cuando se trabaja en sostenibilidad: 1. Establece límites claros entre el trabajo y la vida personal. Pon un horario de trabajo y respétalo, evitando llevar trabajo a casa o trabajar fuera de horas. 2. Prioriza tus tareas y fija metas realistas. Evita sobrecargarte con demasiados compromisos que puedan afectar tu equilibrio. 3. Agenda tiempo para hobbies y actividades personales, para disfrutar de tu tiempo libre y recargar energías, sin sentir culpa por ello. 4. Si trabajas desde casa, establece un área solo para el trabajo, separada físicamente de tu espacio personal. Implementar prácticas laborales flexibles y solidarias permite conciliar mejor el trabajo y la vida personal.

Controversially, I would say consider not keeping your Sustainability career too seperate from your personal life. Sustainability is a career that people enter with strong values and ethics that aligns with their life choices and lifestyle. Just try to seperate the paid professional tasks from your personal joy and enthusiasm for Sustainability, if a task 'feels' like work then leave it for your work hours.