Right at the outset, I have to note that it is Saturday, and I am in the office writing this piece. That should give you a clue that I haven’t achieved what most people might call a healthy work-life balance.
The cold hard fact is that in today’s work environment, there is constant pressure to do more with fewer people. Whether it is stated, implied or self-inflicted, people in our industry are continually monitoring and handling queries, issues and challenges not just two or three time zones away but halfway around the globe. We have deadlines, demands and issues that are out of our control and must be addressed.
The result is long hours and in many instances, missed weekends and holidays. If it is any consolation, you are not alone.
Shared Issues
After reviewing survey results from the Poynter Institute, Gallup and Monster.com, it is obvious that balancing work and life is becoming an issue that many people face in every field.
The issues raised in all of these surveys were similar:
- Most people (more than 60%) work more than 40 hours per week;
- Nearly half passed up their vacation from last year;
- Approximately 70% of the organizations had staff cuts in the last two years; and
- Half of those surveyed were considering a job or career change.
It has been my experience that most pressure and stress is self-inflicted, and staff reductions produce mixed emotions and pressures that have to be addressed in a healthy, personal manner.
Fortunately, part of the solution can be found with today’s always-on technologies. Working no longer means that you have to be in your physical workspace 10 to12 hours per day. Technology has given us the ability to shape and define our own version of balance.
On a recent vacation in Mexico, I handled three calls from the media and three from clients. Early each morning and before going to bed each evening, I spent an hour on my computer handling e-mail. The rest of the time I enjoyed the sights.
When the need has arisen, I’ve reached clients at basketball games, on the golf course and at their youngsters’ soccer practice.
Do these examples represent a healthy work-life balance? Possibly.
It is healthy if you have the temperament and personality to know your limits. It is not healthy when the work adversely affects your mental or physical health or your personal relationships.
When the workload affects your mental health, it is time to step back and assess your job, career direction and personal goals. If necessary, it will require third-party assistance. When it affects your physical health, it is time to realign your diet, sleep and exercise. If work is creating barriers to personal relationships, it is time to sideline yourself and develop a new perspective on what is most important to you.
Your Boss, Your Organization
Every organization has a written or unwritten work climate. Your organization and your supervisors can play a pivotal role in your success and satisfaction. If you are the supervisor, you set the tone.
This means you have to take the time to actually know your employees and show genuine empathy when they are under stress, inside or outside the organization. Balance the feedback you give them. This means passing out praise as well as constructive criticism.
In addition to knowing your staff, know their respective workloads so that it is equally balanced. The idea of giving the busiest person the really tough projects on top of everything else will not work for long. You need to encourage people to step back and take a rest to ensure they maintain a strong performance level.
Be aware of the emotional state of staff members. If people are placing undue stress on themselves, encourage them to take time off to refresh. Some life situations are inflexible—children, family member illnesses, relationships—and they need to be addressed before they affect work quality. Encouraging staff to take the time to work through these personal issues can produce a better, more efficient employee.
This also means clearly spelling out your objectives and setting realistic timelines for projects and activities. Ensure that your staff understands they have flexibility in achieving the goals. Not everyone is a happy workaholic. Make certain you don’t use the same measurements for all of your employees. Each is an individual and requires measurements and workloads based on their individual needs.
Your Control
Depending on your personality, the right work-life balance is usually under your control. Make certain you have a weekly and daily to-do list. Make the list while you are relaxing in the evening so you arrive at the office already in control. Work the list in an orderly manner, even if you do not complete all the projects. Take a look at the things you do during the day and eliminate those that waste time.
Because we increasingly use technology in our work and personal life, it is difficult to see where one begins and the other ends. With the volume of data doubling every 12 to 18 months, according to industry analysts, it is easy to become overwhelmed.
We still give people credit for working long days, nights and weekends. We still celebrate the last man or woman standing. The key is that you can control whether or not you want to be that man or woman.
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