Balancing Work and Home Life
January 2012 by Sharon Dillard
When I was younger and for many years, in what I call my other life, I had a wonderful and demanding career that required a lot of my time. Or so I thought. I felt I had to prove that I was worthy of the cause by working long hours. But I wasn’t thinking smart. Now that I’m older with more experience, I realize that I was worthy. Or they wouldn’t have hired me. I was promoted several times, and earned awards and bonuses.
Back then, juggling a career with travel, dressing the part, being married with two small boys, dogs and feeling like I needed to keep up with the Joneses, I was drained. The effort took a toll on me both physically and mentally. I missed important events and lost time with family and friends. I was married to my job. My work life and personal life were out of control, which left my stress level out of whack.
I’m grateful that I had my grandmother (we all called her Gigi). She was smart, savvy and very wise. I would go to her for advice on life and situations that were not familiar. She would always have a profound answer. I thought to myself, how does she know this? Well, she had lots of years of experience. Now, after my experience trying to balance work and home life, I have to tell you, it’s totally different these days!
Here are a few ideas for a better work/life balance. Or, you can wait until you’re a grandparent to rack up the experience:
Keep it simple. Last year I wrote a three-part article on “Simplifying your life, home and business.” Read it again to start out the year by moving into balancing it all out. Go to www.sharonjustsayin.com
Rise and shine. Try waking up several hours before leaving for work. A few more added minutes to your morning can help with tasks around the house – defrosting something for dinner or starting the dishwasher. It’s the small things that we do on a daily basis that add up. By waking up a little early you eliminate frantic dressing, lack of breakfast and forgotten tasks that add up at the end of the day and week.
Food to go. Keep nuts and health bars in your car. This helped me when I’d leave work to go directly to a soccer game. Then the family could eat a healthy meal later at home. I still do this today and it’s been a real lifesaver!
Go-to place. Near the door, find an area for items that you need on a daily basis: keys, briefcase, purse, school backpacks or letters to be mailed. Also, keep a petty cash jar handy for all household members to use for parking, lunches or a tip for the delivery person.
Go-to person. Find a trusted friend that you can vent your frustrations to. And equally important, allow them to vent to you. Share your feelings to ease your pain. Put a time limit on the pity party, then do something fun together.
Routine. You’ve heard it before. Repetition strengthens and confirms. Develop routines in your life. Days that you don’t have that Zen mojo you can put yourself on autopilot. Knowing you can fall back on built in routines will get you through the day.
Say no. Quit doing things out of guilt or a false sense of obligation. You will make more room in your life for the activities that are meaningful to you and bring you joy.
Leave work at work. With the technology to connect to anyone at any time virtually anywhere, there’s no boundary between work and home – unless you create it. Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time. When you’re with your family, turn off your cell phone. When it’s time to take a vacation, take that time off. You need that time to recharge for when you’re back to work.
You’re worthy. Eat healthy foods and include physical activity as a part of your life. Better yet, discover activities you can do with a partner or friend – such as hiking, walking or taking cooking classes (my favorite).
Laugh. Look on the bright side and have a sense of humor. Everyone feels sad, angry or frustrated sometime. It has been proven that laughing can help ease difficult situations.
In the struggle to meet the demands of an increasingly complex world we all need to develop strategies for maintaining balance in our lives. Just sayin’.
Published: Apartment News Magazine – January/February issue 2012
Sharon Dillard is the award-winning CEO of Get A Grip Inc., a national franchise kitchen and bathroom resurfacing company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
January 03, 2012 at 11:31 am, Michelle said:
Great tips for a fantastic new year! I especially appreciate the “Say No” idea.
January 08, 2012 at 9:46 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Hi Michelle! I must have really hit home with this one. Everyone is commenting on the “say no” idea. Continue to comment, it really helps me with future articles.
January 03, 2012 at 12:02 pm, Cindy Beatty said:
I ran in the corporate rat race too and think that we can work smarter and get more accomplished these days – online shopping, information, etc. And just as a side note – so glad that nobody wears hose anymore (that was a true pain in the butt to put up with not to mention the expense!)
January 08, 2012 at 9:44 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Lulu – Too funny about the pantyhose! Thanks for your comments, it really means a lot.
January 03, 2012 at 12:13 pm, Pamela Accetta Smith said:
I was told once that if you are not doing something with a glad heart (whatever that may be) then it is not worth doing. I love the just “say no” tip. It is hard (especially for women) to do this, but it is so important to be able to draw those boundaries. I have found that in the end people have a lot more respect for those who respectively decline, than those who begrudgingly say yes.
January 08, 2012 at 9:42 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Hi Pamela – For many years, I felt that I had to all things to all people. It’s been really hard to say the word “no” and you’re right, especially for a women. Thanks for your thoughts and continue to comment… It really helps to hear good feedback.
January 03, 2012 at 12:53 pm, Brandi Dillard said:
Thanks for the great words of advice! This comes at such a perfect time. I have always struggled with this. I have a professional and at times, stressful job. I travel a lot, but other than that I try and leave my work at work. Balancing the household needs with a work schedule is not an easy task.
I have been telling myself that my new motto for 2012 is “Keep it simple”. I am a wife, a working mom to 4, a daughter, a friend, a sister…..and the list continues. It is hard to fulfill all these roles 100%, all of the time. Life is complicated at times. I am guilty of over-obligating myself and trying to keep everyone happy, above my own happiness at times. I think moms commonly take on the martyr role by nature, and we need to stop doing that. You have to remember what is important in life. I have always been the mother that will overlook a messy room that needs picking up, to play a game of Candy Land with my kids. Life is short and those sweet moments with our children are brief. They grow up so fast.
All of these tips are wonderful and easy enough to maintain. I love the idea of getting up earlier. I am a chronic “snoozer” and am always running late. It sets a stressful tone for the whole day.
January 08, 2012 at 9:38 am, Sharon Dillard said:
To my Brandi girl – You are my go to girl. New motto for 2012… Keep it simple!
January 03, 2012 at 2:14 pm, Clifton said:
I love EVERYTHING – except that getting up early idea. Okay, I even love that in principle if not practice!
January 03, 2012 at 6:16 pm, G. Allen said:
> All wonderful suggestions for work and life.
Your idea of keeping health snacks in the car is a good one . During my day they usually turn into lunch that I would not have otherwise… Also keeping a fresh container of water in the car helps me through the day. My employer was kind enough to provide one. Even has my name on it.
January 08, 2012 at 9:31 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks for the comment! Drinking that extra water during the day really helps. Thanks for your support, it means a lot!
January 08, 2012 at 9:36 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Hi Clifton! Can always count on you, my friend. Try it for a week. Oh, and glad that you like your new walking application. Keep it up!
January 04, 2012 at 9:46 am, John D. said:
Great article, especially,”Put a time limit on the pity party, then do something fun together.” This would have made my life a lot easier had I learned it early on. Good advice on the pity party. We all know people who just never seem to get out of that mode………Glad not to be them!
January 08, 2012 at 9:29 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Hi John! No all to well about the pity party. Thanks for your support and we all love here at Get A Grip. You make are lives run so much better.
January 07, 2012 at 6:23 pm, Carole Walker said:
Great advice Sharon. At my age of nearly 80, I look back on all the years I tried to be everything to everyone, and it does nothing but put stress on yourself. I’m amazed at the busy lives you gals have these days and am hoping you take some of this advice and enjoy life more. It passes by quickly.
January 08, 2012 at 9:26 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Dear Carol, you’re such an inspiration to all of us. I only wish I had half of your experience and wisdom. Always enjoy talking and visiting with you, my friend.
January 24, 2012 at 11:46 am, Triana said:
Great thought on laughter. Sometimes we forget about the joy in life and get stuck in the bad. Can’t wait for next article!!
February 10, 2012 at 1:31 pm, Sharon Dillard said:
Laughter does help ease the pain… Thank you, Triana.
February 10, 2012 at 1:27 pm, Mike Bridge said:
I agree with Sharon. Laugh and especially laugh at yourself! I’m sure that we’ve all done something that qualifies. It does the heart good.
February 10, 2012 at 1:33 pm, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks, Mike. Hard to remember at times, but it does work!
March 05, 2012 at 3:09 pm, Gina Dillard said:
Sharon! It’s my first time to Blog! I love all the ideas you mention above & your son helps enforce all of them at our house. Here is one of my favorite summaries of a quote that seems to keep me happy during all the stress at work: “It is not what you do for a living. It’s what you are being while you are doing what you are doing.”
March 06, 2012 at 8:36 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Gina – Congrats! You’re now a true blogger. Thanks for sharing your quote – – good for life. Thanks!
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July 08, 2012 at 6:37 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks!
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I do agree with all the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
July 26, 2012 at 8:07 am, Sharon Dillard said:
Thanks for reading my blog! I write these articles for the Apartment News magazine. Unfortunately, I can’t go over 800 words per article, because of the magazine layout. Thanks again!
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