How to Leave Work at Work
The 9 to 5 job is no longer a job which goes on for eight hours.In fact, the ‚9 to 5‘ jobs don’t really exist any longer, public sector included.
It has been transformed into a hectic, demanding routine which can last all day long at times. The end result is that people start freaking out in their actual lives. BlackBerry’s possess them all the time. Friends and family oftem give up on them and they start remaining stressed all the time.
To avoid such horrible scenarios, it is really important that we draw a line between personal and professional life. It’s all about work-life balance. Easier said than done? Yes, we’ll agree with that but it’s certainly not impossible. You can at least start by leaving your work at work.
(Image Credit: prsync.com)
Here is some handy advice:
Unwind Before you Reach Home
It’s 5 pm. You just need to go on for an hour before you leave from work. But hey. What’s happening? About 5-6 emails have landed in your inbox and before you could even realise, your hands are full of numerous tasks. Your stress-levels shoot up and you feel helpless.You finally reach home at 9 pm, about 2 and a half hours late. And then there are probing questions from your partner. Questions like how was the day at the office? Any new projects? Yes, indeed the last thing you ever wanted.
Brining work-related stress to home, wittingly or unwittingly, can be detrimental to your health and also your relationships with your partner/wife, and rest of the family. So if you’ve had a really long and stressful day at the office, don’t just head back to home right after it ends. Take some time to unwind yourself. Listen to some good music, go for eating out, go a for a few walks, have a gossip session with your friends and other such stuff. Just get it all out before you enter your house.
Disconnect with Things Which May Distract You
While you may be swimming in an ocean of communication devices/channels like BlackBerry, iPad, laptops, fax machines, emails etc. in your office, you should just keep them at bay while you’re at home. You should know when to turn off the communication channels. If you really, really need to work at home, you must dedicate a definite time slot and you should earmark a particular place in your home. Do not carry your laptop to your bed to complete some last minute assignments. We’re sure this is not what your girl/wife would really appreciate 🙂
(Image Credit: bemycareercoach.com)
Know When to Say No
It’s understandable that there will be times when you will be overloaded with work. Your employer, despite being sympathetic, will push you for more. This pushing is only acceptable if it is within the limits which are humane and as long as it is humanly possible to overstretch. Remember, none of us is a superhuman who has endless capacity to go on working. There’s nothing wrong in saying NO and turning down (politely) proposed assignments and projects.
Now, you should not view this act of saying NO as something which had failed you in your professional and even personal life. What it really means is that you have taken control of the situation and at the same time you have realised that just like every human being you have your own limitations. An overload in your professional life can severely encroach upon your personal life. End result: you’ll be unhappy with both of them.
All Work and No Play INDEED Makes Jack a Dull Boy
Being overworked is a sure shot way to lose all the lustre in your life. It can turn you into a dull, stressed-out and emotionally immune person. And we’re sure that you would never want to become someone like this. Maintaining an impeccable work life balance is the key thing in life. If your work dictate terms in everything you do in your life then it’s time to pause for a moment and think. Something needs to be done urgently. Leave your office behind the moment you step outside it in the evening. You do need to devote some quality time to your friends and family and most importantly, TO YOURSELF. (www.planetloungeradio.com)
(Image Credit: myburnoutthing.com)
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