Work-Life Balance
Over the past year we have seen a decline in the normal 9-5 work hours. As we work from home, we have discovered that we can now create a schedule that fits our needs and works for us. At first glance this looks like a great change; however, we must be careful that it does not harm the ever important work/life balance.
Creating Boundaries
Spending almost all our time in our homes sometime makes it difficult to create boundaries between professional life and home life. If we spend too much time working on a big project, we run the risk of missing milestone family events. If we spend too much time focusing on our children, then we run the risk of falling behind at work. Creating boundaries between our professional and person life is key to having success in both. So how do we achieve this very delicate balance? There is no real right or wrong answer, but there are some guidelines that we can set up to help us. First, and likely most important, is to set dedicated work hours in the home. This is a time when you should be doing your job and the children should be doing schoolwork. There can be some flexibility as to when these hours are if they are clearly defined. We need to ensure we focus on whatever task we have at hand and we limit distractions.
Create a Weekly Schedule
A great way to create the boundary between work and personal life its to spend a few minutes every week to create a family schedule. This schedule should be incredibly detailed and should include everyone’s required responsibilities. Ensure all your conference calls and video chats are on the schedule as well as all the children’s school classes. You should even schedule lunch and dinner meals as well. This is not only budget friendly but ensures you do not miss out on these important family moments. Additionally, do not be scared to schedule something a bit different. If you can find a gap in everyone’s schedule, use it to create a family fun moment. Maybe an early afternoon snack session or even find some time for a game or two. Part of what makes schedules easy to follow is having something to look forward to so do not be afraid to add in some fun at an unusual time. Just do not get too carried away.
Work to Live Do Not Live to Work
Many of us take great pride and passion in our work. We strive to be the most successful and we want to be the best. There is nothing wrong with this if we do not get too carried away. It is easy to put too much effort into an important project and sometime forget that we need breaks and movements to relax. That is why we have vacation and where the stereotypical 40-hour work week comes from. That being said, it is okay to work more then 40 hours or to have an unusual schedule. It is not okay to work all the time and not take some personal time. Working too hard eventually catches up to us and effects our quality of work. So, if you are only thinking about work and the next big project you need to take a step back and take a break. You do not want life to pass you by because you were too focused on professional goals. Remember to spend some time relaxing and doing something to make you forget about the problems and hardships of your professional responsibilities. We only live once, and we do not want to spend all our time stressing.
Remember What is Important
At the end of the day, it is important to spend a minute or two to think about what we are working for. There is no right or wrong answer to this question; however, it is important that we come up with an answer. For some of us, we work for our children. Others work hard so we can vacation hard. Some of us are driven by professional goals that we inspire to achieve. Ultimately there is no one answer to this question, it is a personal commitment. What is of the up most importance is that we do not get too carried away. We must spend some time making personal memories and relaxing. Each of us only has one life and we must remember to live it and not allow ourselves to get trapped by work concerns. Being professional is important but enjoying life and spending time with our family is more important than any professional commitment can ever be. Next time you feel the pressure of responsibility sit back and remember what you are working for. Think about how to get the job done and think about how you reward yourself and maximize time with your loved ones.
Finally, remember to take a break every now and then. You work will improve, you will feel more relaxed, and you will make lasting memories that you, and your family, will carry with you forever.