--- title: Creating Work-Life Balance That Leads to Real Happiness description: We all talk about creating a good work-life balance, but how often do we actually achieve it? image: https://blog.cleancorp.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Work-Life-Balance.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.cleancorp.com/business-people-balancing-work-family#main-content) [![cleancorp-logo](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cleancorp-logo.png?width=200&height=44&name=cleancorp-logo.png)](https://cleancorp.com) - [About Us](https://cleancorp.com/about-us/) Show submenu for About Us - [Our Story](https://cleancorp.com/about-us/#our-story) - [Our Team](https://cleancorp.com/about-us/#our-team) - [Certifications & Awards](https://cleancorp.com/about-us/#certifications-and-awards) - [Testimonials](https://cleancorp.com/testimonials/) - [Reconciliation Action Plan](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hubfs/Cleancorp%20Reflect%20Reconciliation%20Action%20Plan.pdf) - [Services](https://cleancorp.com/services/) Show submenu for Services - 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[Pricing Guide](https://cleancorp.com/commercial-cleaning-cost-and-pricing-guide/) - [Instant Pricing Calculator](https://cleancorp.com/commercial-cleaning-pricing-australia-free-calculator/) - [1300 211 944](tel:1300211944) - [Get a  *Free* Quote](https://cleancorp.com/get-a-free-quote/) [Get a  *Free* Quote](https://cleancorp.com/get-a-free-quote/) # Creating Work-Life Balance That Leads to Real Happiness We all talk about creating a good work-life balance, but how often do we actually achieve it? ### **What’s Your Why?** Recently, my wife and I took our daughters on an amazing holiday (that's my family in the picture). After returning, I re-evaluated why I do what I do—**I found my “Why.”** It was a mix of reflecting on the holiday and reading Simon Sinek’s phenomenal book, *Start With Why*. It got me thinking about something we all struggle with: **Creating a work-life balance AND achieving happiness.** According to the World Economic Forum, Denmark has one of the best work-life balances globally. Only **2% of employees regularly work long hours**, compared to the international average of **13%**. The Danish spend nearly **two-thirds of their day (16 hours) enjoying leisure, food, and sleep.** Want your own **awesome time-freedom?** Here’s how to create a work-life balance AND achieve happiness.   ## **1. Stop Wasting Energy on the Wrong Things** Think about how you manage your time at work and home. Are you focusing on **HIPA** or **HIFA**? ✔ **HIPA:** Highest Income-Producing Activities ✔ **HIFA:** Highest Incredibly Fun Activities If something doesn’t fall into either category, ask yourself - does it really deserve your time? Prioritising what truly matters will give you more time for what brings you joy and success.   ## **2. Stop Trying to Please Everyone (It’s Okay to Say No)** Saying *yes* to everything? That’s a fast track to burnout. People who always say *yes* often get taken for granted. But when you start saying *no*, something amazing happens—you gain time for your priorities, and people start respecting your boundaries.   ## **3. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate** Is your to-do list always too long? **Why do you think that is?** ✔ You love being in control? ✔ You believe no one else can do it as well as you? If you’re the only one handling everything, **you have a problem.** **Delegation = Freedom.** When you let go, you not only get more time for yourself, but your team grows and thrives too. That’s a **win-win.**   ## **4. Set Boundaries Between Work and Life (And Stick to Them)** The Australian Institute reports that work-life balance is more of an **aspiration** than a reality for many Australians. **Unpaid overtime is common, and feelings of being overworked are rising.** So, if you feel like work is creeping into your life - **you’re not imagining it.** Here’s how to **reclaim control**: ✔ Give 100% focus at work, but **leave on time.** ✔ Plan your daily tasks in advance to be more productive. ✔ Separate work and personal time - don’t let one bleed into the other. Working with **intention and efficiency** will help you achieve more in less time.   ## **5. Use Technology to Your Advantage** Your phone has **countless time-saving features**—are you using them? Many people aren’t even aware of half the tools at their fingertips. Want to unlock **hidden productivity hacks?** Check out these game-changing tools that help you get more done in less time   ## **6. Monitor Your Level of Happiness (Constantly)** Take **just a few minutes each day** to reflect on how happy and satisfied you feel. Even small adjustments—switching up routines, delegating more, or scheduling downtime - can **drastically improve your well-being.** We love the **Track Your Happiness** app, developed by Harvard researcher Matt Killingsworth. It helps you monitor what truly makes you happy so you can **do more of that and less of everything else.**   ## **7. You Are NOT a Superhero (And That’s Okay)** You have limitations - yes, even you. And that’s normal. When you say **yes** to everything, you’re also saying **no** to things that matter - like quality time with family, watching your kids play sport, or just enjoying some well-earned rest. **Stop feeling guilty.** Let go of the unrealistic expectation that you can do it all.   ## **Final Thoughts** Balancing work and life isn’t about **doing more - it’s about doing what matters.** Hamish Macqueen – Founder and Managing Director, Cleancorp [get a free quote](https://cleancorp.com/get-a-free-quote/?utm_source=Website+Blogs&utm_medium=Blogs&utm_campaign=Website+Blogs+to+Quote+Submission)     [![Asset-8](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset-8.png?width=188&height=42&name=Asset-8.png "Asset-8")](https://cleancorp.com/) A fresh start, a *clean slate* ![BPTW24 Badges_BadgeOnly](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BPTW24%20Badges_BadgeOnly.png?width=188&height=77&name=BPTW24%20Badges_BadgeOnly.png "BPTW24 Badges_BadgeOnly") ### Services - [National Commercial Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/national-commercial-cleaning/) - [Office Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/office-cleaning/) - [School Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/school-cleaning/) - [Aged Care Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/aged-care-cleaning/) - [Retail Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/retail-cleaning/) - [Strata Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/strata-cleaning/) - [Industrial Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/industrial-cleaning/) - [Child Care Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/child-care-cleaning/) - [Commercial Carpet Cleaning](https://cleancorp.com/services/carpet-cleaning/) ### Main Services Hub - [Sydney](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-cleaning-sydney/) - [Melbourne](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-office-cleaning-melbourne/) - [Brisbane](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-cleaning-brisbane/) - [Canberra](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-cleaning-canberra/) - [Adelaide](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-cleaning-adelaide/) - [Perth](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-office-cleaning-perth/) - [New Zealand](https://cleancorp.com/locations/commercial-cleaning-auckland/) ### About Us - [Company Profile](https://cleancorp.com/company-profile/) - [Our Team](https://cleancorp.com/our-team/) - [Testimonials](https://cleancorp.com/testimonials/) ### In the Media - [Blogs](https://blog.cleancorp.com/) [Get a * Free * Quote](https://cleancorp.com/get-a-free-quote/) ### Contact - [Call 1300 211 944](tel:1300211944) - [info@cleancorp.com](mailto:info@cleancorp.com) ![Asset-9](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset-9.png?width=170&height=28&name=Asset-9.png "Asset-9") [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/cleancorpau/) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleancorp/) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/@CleancorpAUS) ![Acknowledgement-of-Country-1-300x171](https://blog.cleancorp.com/hubfs/Acknowledgement-of-Country-1-300x171.png "Acknowledgement-of-Country-1-300x171") --- - [Policy Documents](https://cleancorp.com/policy-documents/) - Copyright© 2025 Cleancorp - [Terms and Conditions](https://cleancorp.com/terms-and-conditions/) - [Privacy](https://cleancorp.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hamish Macqueen", "url" : "https://blog.cleancorp.com/author/hamish-macqueen" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-20T02:14:50.297Z", "datePublished" : "2019-10-08T20:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "Creating Work-Life Balance That Leads to Real Happiness", "image" : [ "https://blog.cleancorp.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Work-Life-Balance.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.cleancorp.com/business-people-balancing-work-family", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.cleancorp.com/hubfs/cleancorp-logo-img.png" } } } ```