One of the most common questions I hear when working with executives of large companies, or business owners of smaller companies, is how can they find time in their life away from work.
Almost everyone feels as if they’re constantly connected to work through the constancy of phones, e-mails and messaging. When I talk to small business owners, they think it’s worse for them as they have no back-up and they could lose customers if they don’t respond; when I talk to senior executives of large corporations, they think it’s worse for them because they’re getting paid mega-bucks and their Board and shareholders expect them to be available.
I try to explain to both groups that it’s equally challenging for everyone, regardless of the sector they work in or the size of the business. A carpenter recently installed a new kitchen in our house and he was complaining to me about a potential customer who called at 11pm on Sunday night asking for a quote.
A friend who is a doctor working in one of Melbourne’s biggest hospitals had the week off leading-in to Easter. I had coffee with her one day and, in the space of one hour, she had three calls from more senior doctors asking where she was and who was her relief replacement.
I asked both of them why they took the calls – and the answer was the same. They felt compelled to do so in case they 'missed' something.
We are all our own worst enemies when it comes to turning ‘off’, so I’ve put together these few points to help people find better balance between their family, personal and career life. It’s what I try to do in my own life also, so I hope it helps.
1. Be totally accessible to business contacts ONLY during regular working hours. Determine what that time is for you: it might be 8.30am-6pm Monday to Friday, or some other set working hours. Ensure all colleagues, clients, vendors, business partners and suppliers understand that this is the company culture, your personal policy or, if you run your own business, your company culture.
2. This can be expensive but think about having two different mobile phones. One for your business and one for your family and friends. This way you can leave the business one in your handbag or with your other work gear until you’re ready for the next working day.
3. If you can’t afford two phones, or don’t want to have two, answer the business calls or e-mail ONLY during the business hours you set yourself. Another option is to have a different ring tone for business contacts and personal contacts. The only caveat is to put business calls directly into your voice mail on off hours. No exceptions.
4. No Friday afternoon critical meetings. Have the mission critical tasks, and those that require third-party involvement or input, early in the week and taper down so that by Friday you can essentially focus on 'housekeeping' items at work. This strategy can help you avoid weekend workloads and other infringements on what should now be your personal time.
5. Just as you schedule professional obligations, also schedule time for personal family and couple activities. For instance, Saturday morning in winter may be soccer and netball; Saturday afternoon may be housework and shopping; Saturday night is a special dinner with your husband; Sunday morning is relaxing at home; Sunday afternoon is a family outing; and so forth. It may sound ‘routine’ and regimented, but when you’re in a busy job, and have a myriad of things to do, planning is the key to fitting it all in.
6. If you are a business owner or manage staff in an operation with extended hours, create processes and protocols that can handle most situations when you are unavailable in the off hours. Also ensure all staffers understand you are to be contacted only in true emergencies (don’t forget to define “true emergency” as well!) and that you have empowered them to support you properly when you are not accessible and make executive decisions in your absence.
7. Don’t forget time for yourself to exercise, relax, or spend time with friends. It doesn’t matter if it is a few hours or days, or small or large activities - put it on the calendar and plan to make it happen! This is what my doctor friend was doing with her few days off: catching up with friends, having a facial, going clothes shopping, going to the dentist (yes, really!) and – in her words – “enjoying myself making gourmet meals every night”.
__small.png)
