Let me know if the following scenario describes your typical work day:
I wake up at 7:00am, take the dog for a brisk walk around the neighborhood while I enjoy the relative quiet of the morning hour, and then return home for a warm breakfast with the entire family around the kitchen table. I arrive at the office by 9:00am, take a coffee break around 10:30am and a full hour for lunch at noon, and I’m in my car by 5:05pm with the work responsibilities left on my desk. Once home, I focus on my kids and spending time with my spouse before going to bed at a reasonable hour.
Can you relate to this person’s day? If the answer is “no,” you certainly are not alone. We now live in a society that expects us to be working, or at least accessible to work, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The idea of an eight-hour work day seems worthy of a spot in the Smithsonian!
During my work as a career and life coach, I advocate working hard and getting that extra edge that will give you an advantage when it comes to accelerating your career. However, you must find a balance between your work life and your home life and a recent article on the FOX Business website offers some suggestions.
The author of the piece suggests the importance of finding balance between your professional and personal life, and points out that the ideal balance will be different for every person. You must use communication, scheduling, and even time that is meant only to re-energize you and not provide anything to anyone else, to be the best at every role you must play. I hope you will read the article and think about the level of balance that exists (or is missing) in your life right now.
Are there certain steps you have taken to not allow yourself to get completely consumed by work? Maybe you’ve decided to turn off your phone between 6:00pm and 8:00pm. Maybe you promise always to put your kid’s soccer games ahead of having dinner with a client. Let us know what you are doing to find happiness both in the office and in your home.
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Joe,
I had to laugh at your perfect work/life balance scenario paragraph – my initial reaction was, are you kidding me Ward Cleaver? 🙂 It does sound nice, though…
I struggle daily with the fact that my laptop gives me instant access to everything work-related, and I’m drawn to it at all hours – including falling asleep with it sometimes, and that’s just plain. . . wrong! Thanks for the reminder to (attempt to) keep a healthy balance.
G.
Great post!
Life is entirely too short. My laptop and Blackberry give me access to my practice 24-7. I have started to take little steps to make sure I have more balance and I am paying attention to people that matter in my life. I am now changing the settings in my Blackberry to the off position (ok – at least in silent mode).
That’s a a start! .
@Gwen – my real story begins: I woke up at 3:45 am, showered and got to the airport in time for the 5:20am flight … So this post was for me too. On the positive side, we are moving back down South to be close to family! Step 1 – in progress!
@Tim – As I said to Gwen, the post was for me too… I have two Blackberry’s 🙁 …. Thanks for sharing!
Joe,
I actually read the post and thought about my reply for a few days – how’s that for balancing!!!
The life balancing act is something that i work at daily and suspect will be something to review as life changes occur. I am making progress since I no longer take my laptop on family vacations – it also helps that we go to places where the wireless connectivity is poor (thank goodness for mountains!)
This past year has awarded me with many test to balance and focus on what is important between family, work and community, how to manage my time so it does feel like a juggling act, and to enjoy all that life presents.
Hi Donna – I think each of us has to win this battle by taking small steps. This year we leave our laptop behind on vacation, next year …. our Blackberry!
My wife just made the decision to become a full time Mom and we could not be happier… I am so proud of her and so happy for the impact it will have on my family!
Thanks so much for sharing your perspective.