The recession is taking its toll on the best of us. With the mounting economic distress, simply having a job seems like a blessing.moreover, being able to hold on to a job during a series of cost-cutting and layoffs forums a major triumph.
In fact, this tremendous pressure on job security is pushing people to work harder with gruelling hours and crazy schedules. They have no choice but to put their career first, and work/life balance has become the principle sacrifice at the altar of recession.
What most people fail to realize is that the constant battle for survival bring its own physical and emotional toll, making them a walking recipe for disaster. Gaining at least a semblance of balance between your work and the rest of your life is more important now than ever and is the only way to manage the chaos.besides; it will enable you to do your job better.
Yet, while striking a work/life balance was never easy, today’s challenging times have made the prospect harder than ever. This is not to say that you just cannot lead a full and rewarding personal life at all. There are lots of places to start once you realize the need to maintain a balance to outride the stress and tension.
Get priorities right: there will always be various things competing for your time and attention. You need to attend a meeting. Complete a project, instruct a subordinate, reply to your emails, and negotiate with a client and so on. Similarly, on the home front, you have to attend your son’s cricket match, help him with his homework, care for a sick parent, and spend some time with your spouse and also read that new book. These numerous demands pull you in different directions and scatter your attention, making it tough to get almost anything done.
Take an honest look and figure out what you really want and what you are willing to give up. Then either postpone or entirely eliminate the extra obligations that are counterproductive and wastefully eat into your time. This will free you for the more important tasks and let you focus on making the top priorities happen.
Use technology: numerous flexible options like telecommuting and flex-time have emerged that can make your working life infinitely easier. What’s more, the recession has made employers more amenable as they can conveniently cut costs and overheads.
So, check your company policy on the flexible options offered and remember that you will not lose anything by asking for accommodations. If your boss is different, explain that job-sharing or working from home at least on some days will make you more productive while letting you meet your personal responsibilities. Even if it entails a smaller pay cheque, the extra time can often compensate for the lost money.
Draw line: experts opine that there is no direct correlation between the number of hours you work and your chances of holding on to the job.so pause and reflect a while on both the choices and sacrifices you have made. There is no gripping compulsion to work longer hours and you should draw the line when it comes to your personal time. Schedule sufficient family time and keep your blackberry, laptop and other devices. Sacrilegiously off-limits. Explain to your boss that you will mostly be unavailable during weekends or will not take work home. Also, instead of working round the clock learn to work smarter by managing your tasks over a reasonable period of time.
Life outside work: never make the mistake of devoting yourself entirely to your work. It will ultimately reduce your productivity and overall satisfaction. Build a healthy network of family and friends that will work both as an outlet as well as a support system. You can also talk to different people in your circle and discuss tips on how they are managing to maintain a balance during this downturn.therefore, a mix of discipline and smart choices will enable you to free up at least a few extra hours in your life!
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