When it comes to talking about big ambitions, the word sacrifice generally comes up at some point during the conversation. This is particularly the case when it comes to promotions and high performance in the workplace. In today’s highly competitive world, it’s easy to take the word “sacrifice” to the extreme; giving birth to creatures like The Workaholic and The Burnout.

And while yes it’s true, some things will have to go by the wayside as you climb to the top, the term sacrifice was never meant to include your wellbeing or the people whom you love and are responsible for providing for. Yet all too often we hear client stories of great success and accomplishments at work coupled with a deteriorating, disconnected family life at home.

The sad part here is the irony of the whole situation. We want to perform to our best, often so that we can provide the best possible life for our families and those we love. Unfortunately, unless we have our work and personal lives well integrated, trouble on the homefront is almost inevitable.

So in an effort to promote positive, healthy home dynamics, we’ve compiled a list of some of our top recommendations for keeping harmony after hours while still keeping you in the races for your next big break!

Don’t bring work home with you.

Okay, so you’ve obviously heard this before, and you’re probably rolling your eyes at this point right now. And we get it, sometimes you’ll just have to do some work from home. But this point is about discipline. So here’s our challenge to you: you’re willing to put in the effort to climb the ladder at work, now tap into that determination to keep your work and your family as separate as possible!

Be extra disciplined around “prime time.”

Building off of the previous point, where you really need to tap into your discipline and keep work away from family life is during what we call, prime times, or times when mixing work and personal life are most harmful. This would include times like around the dinner table, the weekend, on family outings, etc. We see most conflicts arising from trying to work during these prime times, so do your best to keep them separated!

Be present.

So maybe you’re thinking this is no big deal, you’re great at multitasking. DO NOT DO THIS! Intermixing work and family time makes you bad at both. Don’t attempt to subtly fire off a few emails while also “listening” to your spouse or “attending” your child’s soccer game. There are too many distractions to allow for the quality replies your work deserves, nor does it allow you to be fully present with the most important people in the world; your family!

Carve out time for yourself too.

Finally, don’t feel guilty around taking a little personal time too. When we put our job and others before ourselves, our well-being can take a hit. Be it psychological or physical, if you’re not also making sure your mind and body are operating at peak performance, don’t except to perform well as a family figure or star employee either. Schedule a massage, hit the gym, get a babysitter, or whatever you need to take a break. You’ll perform better in the long run because of it.

If you’re still on the fence about some of these tips, then consider the following. True success is about deriving satisfaction from life and surrounding ourselves with loving relationships. Earning a lot of money is great, it allows us to enjoy life on an even grander level and opens new opportunities. However, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Or in this case, a disconnected parent or spouse!