At the Work/Life Balance event – run jointly by the General Electric Women’s Network and the European Professional Women’s network held in London this past Thursday – the concept of ‘WAM’ was discussed. With all the pressures of combining work and family, how can you possibly find time for YOU?
The point is you can’t change the 24 hour clock, so you need to create time by crowding out the less important things. It sounds simple, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of following old habits unless you remind yourself of your goals, focus and execute.
What are your priorities? Mine are 1. my health 2. my family and 3. my career. Does that mean I’m selfish because I put my health (my WAM time) before my family’s interest? No, quite the contrary. My health IS very much in my family’s interest. Without me, the family suffers in many ways. I have to take care of myself so I can take care of them. This is why WAM is so critical. It’s not a nice to have, but rather a must have!
Does this mean that in every situation where there is a conflict between investing in your health, family or career you should always make a decision in that order. If life were only that simple! These priorities have to be considered in the bigger picture. At any one particular moment, career might have to take priority over family or vice versa. Likewise a family commitment, such as a meeting at your kids’ school, might have to take priority over your weekly visit to the health club.
I’m sure you’ve had those moments where you’ve got to give up some family time in order to meet a deadline, prepare for an important meeting etc. It’s hard to set steadfast boundaries where technology, although it has many advantages, enables the work world to reach us anywhere, anytime. And let’s face it, it’s not constructive to just tell colleagues, clients and bosses, “No”, I can’t do it. You can however suggest HOW it can be done, and solicit others to be involved so that your work-life balance can be maintained in the long run.
In situations where there is a direct conflict between personal and professional demands think like a business owner. This will allow you to address the business issue while constructing a solution that meets your personal needs as well. This approach works especially well if you’re looking to change your work schedule – any proposal that addresses client needs and productivity, rather than just personal demands, has a much greater chance of success.
So enough reading. Get up and start focusing on what’s important. Make time for you – everyone will be better off because of it.
What are your priorities? Mine are 1. my health 2. my family and 3. my career. Does that mean I’m selfish because I put my health (my WAM time) before my family’s interest? No, quite the contrary. My health IS very much in my family’s interest. Without me, the family suffers in many ways. I have to take care of myself so I can take care of them. This is why WAM is so critical. It’s not a nice to have, but rather a must have!
Does this mean that in every situation where there is a conflict between investing in your health, family or career you should always make a decision in that order. If life were only that simple! These priorities have to be considered in the bigger picture. At any one particular moment, career might have to take priority over family or vice versa. Likewise a family commitment, such as a meeting at your kids’ school, might have to take priority over your weekly visit to the health club.
I’m sure you’ve had those moments where you’ve got to give up some family time in order to meet a deadline, prepare for an important meeting etc. It’s hard to set steadfast boundaries where technology, although it has many advantages, enables the work world to reach us anywhere, anytime. And let’s face it, it’s not constructive to just tell colleagues, clients and bosses, “No”, I can’t do it. You can however suggest HOW it can be done, and solicit others to be involved so that your work-life balance can be maintained in the long run.
In situations where there is a direct conflict between personal and professional demands think like a business owner. This will allow you to address the business issue while constructing a solution that meets your personal needs as well. This approach works especially well if you’re looking to change your work schedule – any proposal that addresses client needs and productivity, rather than just personal demands, has a much greater chance of success.
So enough reading. Get up and start focusing on what’s important. Make time for you – everyone will be better off because of it.
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