I had an epiphany about work/life balance some years ago.
I was having a week’s holiday in the Wairarapa, relaxing amongst the vines and lovely accommodation of one of New Zealand’s top Pinot Noir regions. Because the year’s activities had well and truly started I couldn’t completely ignore business, so on four of those seven days, for an hour or so each time, you’d have found Robyn and trusty laptop tucked away somewhere – in a pretty Bed & Breakfast at Greytown or around the garden or premises of the peaceful and elegant Martinborough Hotel, polishing off an article or dealing with urgent email.
One golden sunlit morning, as I sat under the ample shade of a sweeping walnut tree outside my hotel room, enjoying the luxury of a beautiful setting and the ability to happily despatch a few mails, a passing guest flippantly remarked: ‘What a waste of a lovely day!’
I’m a great believer in the value of blocking solid chunks of time to enjoy uninterrupted quality time, to practice being present to the beauty of each moment, to limit pollution of our brain from an invasive and constant barrage of other people’s information. I absolutely believe that we need some days when the brain is free of work. So when the cheery fellow guest lobbed his casual challenge, my first reaction was ‘Oh my gosh! Am I being incongruent? Maybe he’s right!’
As I reflected, I came to the conclusion that what I was doing worked for me. After all, who says work should be parcelled into this pigeon hole, not that? Who cares where the work is done?
There is no one right way to get work done. We all have different rhythms and, especially in this interconnected age, much work can be done in non-traditional ways and times. For example, at the same hotel a semi-retired Australian couple were keeping their eBay business running with an hour or so each day online. The rest of the time they enjoyed the delights of touring New Zealand.
The most important thing is that you meet your work obligations, but rarely does it matter when you do the work. Let’s be results-based rather than clock-based.
And what defines work?
- What are the key performance indicators in my work?
- What brings the money?
- What are the results that I must have or I would be irresponsible?
- What are my best places and times to work?
- When do I do my most productive work?
- Where do I work best?
- What work really matters?
- Which activities bring the best results?
One word of caution, however. I'm not suggesting we work early, late, and everything in between. I am recommending we have 'switch-off' times when all devices and communications tools are ignored.
When we forget to take time for ourselves, our loved ones, and all aspects of our health, we’re on the slippery slope to burnout and ill-health, let alone potential loss of intimate relationships, financial security and friends.
A few more questions for reflection:
- In the grand scheme of life, does this task really matter?
- Can it wait until I’m back in work mode?
- Can someone else deal with the issue?
- What’s the worst that can happen if I ignore it?
Good time management isn’t about following the ‘right’ rules. Instead, it’s about finding your right balance.