One of the most difficult things for many women in business is being able to flick the “off-switch” when they come home. Leaving work at work is a hugely important part of maintaining a healthy work/life balance, but all too often women in business find it near impossible to shut their professional sides off and spend quality time with their families mindfully. One cannot be mindful at home when their mind is left at the office, and this can be a great hindrance to compassionate leadership practiced at home. A few tips for women in business to flick that off-switch when they come home are:
• Leave it at work – For women entrepreneurs, in particular, leaving physical work at work is so difficult it can be almost painful. That file, that client list, that marketing project, or that budget might tempt you to “just take a minute”, but many know well that a minute will soon turn into an hour and so forth. If you’re having trouble turning work-mode off, leave the physical components of work at work.
• Say “No” after a certain time – While after-work commitments are sometimes necessary for networking and business purposes, women in business don’t have to say yes to them all. A good rule of thumb to follow is to choose a time that you will turn “off”, and decline any work engagements that occur after this time. Your off time is family time, and family time shouldn’t be pushed to the side for a work function.
• Schedule during “danger” times – Those moments right around your off-time are dangerous times. Dangerous because they’re the times you’re most likely to falter on your off-time commitment and agree to work functions you told yourself you’d give up. A great way to stop this, at least in the beginning, is to schedule activities during these times. Schedule a pick-up at your children’s practice for them and their friends, a family ice cream night, or a manicure for yourself. By having something on the schedule, you’re less likely to give in.
• Put the phone and the laptop away – If you’re tempted to check in on work while on your phone or laptop, it’s best to just put it away and save it for tomorrow. Even personal devices can find us sucking back into work, and every moment one does so is a moment taken away from turning off and enjoying home.
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