We all talk about creating a good work-life balance, but how often do we actually achieve it?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Balancing work and life isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing what matters.
Hamish Macqueen – Founder and Managing Director, Cleancorp