Make a pact with yourself in 2006 to get out of the office earlier!
Make a pact with yourself in 2006 to get out of the office earlier!
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Saved on: 2007-07-25 at 12:30:07
section: economics and money
article:
For the first month of a new year, this is an ideal subject.
"If I can just stay a little later today, I can catch up on this work I haven't been able to get to," was the innocent beginning of staying late. After eight hours, it was nine. Regularity ensued. After that, she thinks, "If I just bring this reading home, I can 'catch up' after the kids go to bed." Ten minutes passed after nine. The 60-hour workweek became the standard because you did this so frequently. Of course, you'll need to put in more time if you're launching a new company or working on a critical, short-term project. But if you keep working those hours year after year, it will become second nature. You no longer remember what it's like to be free on any given night or weekend.
At what point does a healthy work-life balance become too much? Who does the drawing, the worker? Is it society's responsibility or our companies' to do that?
Finding a clear demarcation between individual and corporate accountability is challenging. I believe they both have it. You are alone responsible for your life in the end. Strike a balance for yourself by drawing the line and insisting on leaving work on time. The alternative is to spend your life aimlessly chasing after the clock.
According to my research, the secret to success is finding a good work-life balance and not putting in excessive hours. In order to leave work on time and draw the line, consider the following strategies:
• Discontinue following the cultural norms. Make it a point to leave the house promptly. The decision to keep you working until 7:00 PM was made by whom? Do you get paid for 40 or 60 hours? If you're a salaried employee, you're required to do whatever it takes to get the job done. How much is the time worth to you?
All meetings must begin prior to 4:00 PM. Make sure that meetings end no later than 4:30 if you are in a position of authority over them. Hold meetings as soon as possible following lunch. Make sure no one can book with you starting at 4:00 every day by blocking out your calendar. Make a positive impact by acting as an example for others to follow. No one should be asked to start a project at 4:45 PM if they are your assistant or if they report to you. Also, honor their right to exist.
• Take a stand. "I consistently leave work at 5:00." Don't be bashful about saying it. My obligation is at 5:30, and I must keep it. The fact that your dedication is to yourself and your loved ones is irrelevant to them. After their aspirations are out in the open, people are more likely to rally around them.
• Establish regular business hours. Appointments should be accepted within specific hours on certain days of the week, even if you have an assistance. Maybe you're available for appointments from 9:00 to 10:30 and 2:00 to 3:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. That way, when you're attempting to leave the office, no disruptions will happen at the same time.
• Finalize your departure plans. To let people know that you're closing shop, gather up your coat and place it somewhere noticeable. To make it seem like you're already gone or preoccupied a few minutes before you're supposed to leave, close your door.
They have until tomorrow to do anything they want.
You should question your presumptions. Extra work isn't just "the way it is." Take control of your day again if you want to experience less time pressure...instead of putting in more hours, try to get everything done throughout the workday. Avoid worrying about "catching up." Eventually, you'll fall behind. Time is a finite resource, and there will always be more to accomplish. The human capacity to find something to do with any spare moment is remarkable. A 45-minute meeting will be just as productive as a 90-minute one. Slacking off a bit becomes second nature when working late becomes a habit. You can get just as much done as before, if not more, if you can maximize your productivity throughout the day.
It's best to take baby steps. Before you leave on vacation, take stock of how productive you usually are. Your innermost desires are in complete harmony with your wish to depart! Things that aren't crucial vanish into thin air, allowing you to concentrate on what really matters. The same holds true for designating a specific day—maybe Thursdays—as "the" day when you promptly exit your workplace. In order to back up this decision, you'll start working more attentively and more productively on Thursdays. You still manage to get just as much done on Thursday as you would on any other day of the week. A system of self-reinforcement kicks in after you experience Thursday nights alone; after all, you get to enjoy the benefits you brought about. Continue with an additional day, such as Monday, and repeat the process. If you want to get back to your 40-hour workweek and even better outcomes, you need to keep improving your productivity abilities and adding days to your schedule.
The issue is not a lack of time, so bear that in mind. All of your habits contribute to your low productivity levels. Avoid the pitfall of mindlessly devoting more attention to issues.
Stay focused: Work isn't everything! Instead of living to work, you're working to live.
Sure, you'd like to get things done. On top of enjoying and excelling at your job, you want to advance in your career. Having a meaningful existence is essential, though. Inspire people to strike a balance in their lives and discover what makes getting out of the workplace earlier worthwhile by doing the same.
Get things done today!
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