How do you manage yours?

Remember the saying ‘Do you work to live or live to work’?  How often have you asked yourself this question recently or in the past? And how many of us have actually done something about it?  It often takes an ‘event’ for us to do anything about our work life balance – illness, new addition to the family, bereavement, unhappy at work  – but why wait for that to happen, why not make the change now?  It is often viewed that having a successful career and a work life balance do not go hand in hand, but in today’s society, despite the economic climate, achieving a realistic balance between the two is as important as ever.

So understand what it is you want to achieve in terms of your career and where you want to get to – supervisor, manager or director – and also understand what is important to you outside of your work environment – family, sport, voluntary activity.  Then look to combine these so that you can achieve an acceptable equilibrium.  You will need to communicate your wishes with your employer and sell to them the benefits of what it looks like.

Family commitment

Whether they are old or young, healthy or poorly, spending time with and caring for your family will come high on the list.  So make time to go to the school play, assembly, concert, sports day – put it in the diary with a note not to be moved or cancelled.  If a relative is poorly and the responsibility falls to you to manage their care it can be extremely difficult to balance with work.  Speak to your employer, advise them of the situation and work out a solution that will allow you to put the necessary care in place and then allow you to work and visit as required.  

Voluntary activity

One of the most common voluntary activities is the TA. The reservist has an obligation to fulfil some 30 training days per annum – evenings, weekends and a 15 day continuous period of training.  In addition they may volunteer for mobilisation or be called up for compulsory mobilisation.  Employers are not obliged to grant paid or unpaid leave but many see the benefits gained from the training the reservist receives.  In the event of mobilisation occuring the reservists employment is protected by The Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985.  Other voluntary activities would need to be carefully discussed and agreed with the employer in terms of time commitment and security of employment, where possible.

Stay fit and Healthy

For many, release from the stresses of the day is achieved by going to the gym or for a run.  And for many others the intention is there but it never quite happens!  So make it happen – join the gym, through work or otherwise, find a running buddy, or a badminton or football club, and start sweating.  Make the time before work or after, or nip out for a quick run a at lunch time.   Obviously check out the showering facilities at work, and then make use of them.  You will feel so much better. Make a commitment to your self and others and just do it! (Can I say that?!).

Friends

As important as your family it is vital to remember your friends in all of this work life balance.  Make time to see them and to socialise when you can.  Whilst asking for an early finish to go and meet a friend probably won’t go down well, schedule it in advance as a ‘need to leave on time’ activity and don’t let anything get in the way. But be careful not to turn up late the next morning with a hangover – it won’t go down.

Saying ‘No’ to extra work

This is difficult as we live in a culture where we feel obliged to take on the work and do it right there and then. But manage the expectation of the person asking you to do the work; explain you have a prior commitment, therefore cannot do it immediately but will be able to complete it by a particular time/date.  They know it’s going to be done and you don’t feel bad about not doing it there and then.  However, there is a requirement for common sense in the industry we work in and sometimes we do have to attend to an issue immediately, or work all the hours to complete a bid.  So be mindful of the situation.

Selling the benefits to you employer

The key in all of this is to communicate clearly to your employer what it is you are trying to achieve and why.  Help them understand why you wish to work from home on a particular day, leave early or indeed have more flexible working hours.  Your request will hopefully be well received and an amicable solution achieved.  The benefits to your employer will be an individual who is happier, healthier, more motivated and productive and still as committed to doing the job as they were on day 1.

Summary

1. Ask the question – Do I work to live or live to work?
2. What do you want to achieve in terms of work life balance
3. Why haven’t you done it before – overcome excuses
4. Family, relatives, friends, exercise, voluntary work – what’s important?
5. Communicate your wishes to your employer
6. Develop an acceptable solution and remain flexible within this when required
7. Don’t hesitate any longer; life is too short so just get on with it