Keep Work, Home Life in Proper Perspective

The importance of maintaining a proper work/life balance is more important than ever.

Nowadays, those of us lucky enough to still have a job have more responsibility than ever before. We are frequently taking on tasks that had once been assigned to other people, so we come in to work early, stay late or work through lunch to make sure everything gets done—and we’re bringing home less to show for it at the same time.

If you’re experiencing this perfect storm of conditions and you haven’t suffered some form of career burnout, congratulations—but be warned that you are entering turbulent waters. It’s so common that some employers are offering unique ways for employees to step away from their desks for a while—like providing a place to nap in the afternoon.

Here at Oakwood Healthcare, our friends in the Oakwell employee wellness program recently circulated information about signs to look for along with a few tips to help get your work and home life in proper balance.

Here are some things you should look for in yourself (or your employees):

• Feeling overwhelmed, like you’ve lost control of your life
• Feeling guilty that you’re neglecting areas of your life
• Difficulty concentrating

If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, it could be a sign that you’re plain and simply working too hard—or too often. It’s okay to admit it, and it’s okay to take a quick breather every now and then. In fact, it’s better if you do. It will help you stay refreshed and more productive, in the long run.

Here are some other things you can do at work (if napping isn’t an option):

• Schedule regular breaks for yourself. You’ll be more productive and effective if you step away from the desk for a few minutes. At Oakwood, we try to follow the ‘sit for 60, stand for three’ rule.
• To get a head start on your work the following day, set your priorities at the end of each day. Be realistic. Don’t include your entire weekly to-do list in one day. Think about what you can achieve in the time you have available. Signing on and seeing the same projects over and over can drag you down.
• Only respond to email once or twice a day. Then, shut off your email program to avoid being distracted as messages come in. This is hard for most of us, particularly if you’re in a time-sensitive role like I am. If you’re in a situation like that, too, it’s perfectly acceptable to leave your program open to monitor timely messages. Just pick one or two times each day to reply—unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
• Make a distinction between work and the rest of your life. Protect your private time by turning off electronic communications. Don’t be available 24/7. Again, this is a tough one for me. Since I am essentially half the media relations team at Oakwood, I’m never really off the clock. I’m used to that because of my newspaper background, but if you find yourself thinking too much about your job when you’re not on the clock, make a conscious effort to distance yourself.  
•  Address concerns about deadlines and deliverables early. As soon as you see that a deadline is unrealistic, communicate your concern to your employer or manager- don’t wait until the deadline passes. I used to create false deadlines for special projects that would allow me and my staff a couple of extra days for unforeseen circumstances. If we hit the early deadline, I’d reward everyone with some additional time off. It usually worked like a charm.
• Finally, take all of your allotted vacation time and, when you’re on vacation unplug and relax. Don’t feel guilty about it. Taking vacation allows you to come back to work refreshed and you’ll have a better outlook to go with your new tan.

Remember, maintaining a proper work/life balance is important not just for you, but for your employer, as well. You may think you’re doing your boss a favor by doing the work of three people, coming in early, staying late, working through lunches and fiddling with stats or spreadsheets at night, too, but the truth is you’re not helping yourself or your company.