| Written by Donnica Fife, on 12-05-2007 16:31 |
Attention Workaholics!
Five minutes until the workday is over, but you have one more spreadsheet to tackle. Would it really hurt to lug the laptop home and finish up after dinner? Stop, Corporate Queen! Learn how to set some simple work-life boundaries that will bring happiness to your home and success to work.
Can that work wait until tomorrow?
More than likely the answer is "yes." Between Blackberrys, cell phones
and laptops, we've conditioned ourselves to remain connected, even when
we don't have to be.
Remaining plugged in at home can strain your personal relationships and
rob you of the essential down time needed to rejuvenate yourself for
the next workday.
Check out the problems you may have on the job resulting from R&R deprivation, courtesy of mindtools.com:
- Difficulty focusing
- Harsh mood swings and rising workplace conflicts
- Lack of fresh ideas
- Loss of enthusiasm for your job
Never fear, you can be saved from becoming the office grump by following these helpful tips:
Leave the corporate gear at work. The best way to ensure you won't work
at home is to ditch the trusty laptop and office gadgets. Odds are, the
closer the Blackberry is to the sofa, the harder it is to avoid looking
at it.
Out of sight out of mind. Just as you physically prepare yourself to
leave the office, take a mental break, too. Put all deadlines, e-mails
and meetings on the back burner. Concentrate your thoughts on family,
fun and friends.
Create routines to help you unwind before you get home. Play your
favorite CDs on the car ride home. Reward yourself for a hard day's
work and stop for ice cream. Meet a friend at a park for a quick walk
before heading home.
Lose the uniform. Remaining in your corporate armor may make you feel
as if you're still in work mode. Scrap the starched shirt and stilettos for a
favorite pair of jeans and flip-flops.
Set boundaries with your private life. Avoid making yourself accessible
after work hours. Establish clear guidelines with co-workers on when
you can be reached regarding business matters.
We've all heard the saying "life is too short" and it really is. The
average employee will spend 269 days and over 2,100 hours per year at
work. So, believe it or not, the company can survive without you skipping
Rover's walk to send that e-mail. Take a break from the corporate throne
and enjoy your personal life!
Use these resources to in your quest for happy and healthy work-life balance:
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