Secrets To Work-Life Balance in Customer Success
Achieving a healthy work-life balance in Customer Success is key.
Many CSMs have found ways to thrive in their roles and have a fulfilling personal life.
Here are the key insights you need to master the art of balancing your career and personal well-being:
The Power of Boundaries
The first step is setting clear boundaries between work and personal time.
Effective customer success is not about firefighting.
It's important to care about your work, but not at the expense of your personal life and well-being.
Your health and personal interests should remain a top priority.
While it's good to do your best at work, it's also important to cultivate hobbies and a life outside of your job.
The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that people who balance work and life better get 21% more productive.
They also have 33% higher job satisfaction compared to those with poor work-life balance.
Industry Matters, But Company Culture Is Key
Certain industries offer better work-life balance in general.
And the company's culture plays a significant role.
Here are some industries that CSMs have the best work-life balance:
EdTech
Enterprise SaaS (especially in cybersecurity and IT automation)
E-commerce SaaS
Corporate L&D
HR Tech/EOR
Government-focused tech companies
Note that even within these industries, experiences can vary.
The Impact of Account Load and Contract Size
Handling fewer large enterprise accounts is often easier than managing many small ones.
Even if the total revenue is similar.
This is a potential strategy that can help reduce your levels of stress and workload.
So have that in mind when assessing job opportunities or discussing the account portfolio with your manager.
Strategies for Success
Here are 4 practical strategies that will help you achieve a better work-life balance:
Set clear work hours
Close your laptop at the end of the workday and don't check work communications after hours.
Beware of managers who send you emails late evenings, considering they’re in the same time zone as you.
Focus on tasks
When work piles up, ask your manager for guidance on priorities.
Avoid comparisons
Don't feel pressured to match colleagues who work excessive hours.
Being busy does not mean being productive.
Focus on the results, not the amount of work.
Choose the right environment
You may find a better balance transitioning from startups to more established companies. Here, it all depends on your specific career goals.
The Ongoing Challenge
Keeping a work-life balance in customer success remains a challenge.
A recent study by Vitally found that almost half (47%) of Customer Success Managers feel burned out at work.
Of those, more than a third (36%) feel this way often or all the time.
The Business Case for Work-Life Balance
The reality is companies that focus on work-life balance often see significant benefits.
According to Forrester's 2020 Report, a well-designed Customer Success program can yield a 91% ROI over three years.
Additionally, companies with strong work-life balance programs experience 33% less turnover.
Implementing these strategies can improve your work-life balance and career in customer success.
To help you put these ideas into practice, I've created the Ultimate Customer Success Templates Collection. This 150-page resource is packed with tips and best practices that will improve your work processes and support a healthier work-life balance saving you time and energy.
Part 2/2
3 Customizable Templates for Work-Life Balance & 7 Career Advancement Strategies
[Exclusive to my paid subscribers]
Here are 3 customizable templates that will help you achieve and maintain a healthy work-life balance along with 7 strategies to boost your career:
Personal Work-Life Balance Plan Template
Time Management Schedule Template
Boundary-Setting Scripts For CSMs
…