Work Projects

Don’t Let Work Projects Spoil Your WLB

Don’t Let Work Projects Spoil Your WLB

Picture the scene, Jane has managed to regain control of her life; her life and work are balanced. Nothing can stop her now. Or can it?

Jane has everything under control, she has taken action, positive action has been undertaken, family and friends have seen a dramatic improvement in her behaviour and she no longer feels stressed out or miserable.

Jane is also doing exceptionally well at work, her new found zest for work has provided her with several opportunities for promotion and her attendance on several projects is sought by two senior managers.

Jane is asked to manage a new project 300 miles away, and it will take about 3 months to complete. Jane is obviously ecstatic and agrees to the project immediately.

During dinner that evening Jane tells the family that she will be working away from home for the next three months and she is really happy. After several “What about” questions from her family, including “What about my piano recital” from her daughter, Jane crashes back down to earth with a bump. She has realised that work has managed to influence her home life once again.

Quite clearly this is a scenario made up to illustrate a point. That point being work projects will happen. Change occurs almost daily in many organisations and being flexible to these changes is undoubtedly advantageous.

It does however show just how precarious our work life balance is, and how such a simple event can have far reaching consequences. The tip here is a simple but effective one, don’t let down your guard, be constantly aware and continue to grow.

Balancing work and life is a long term commitment, change happens, we have to be ready for these changes, by using our intelligence to cope better with new situations. Occasionally you will make a mistake or two; the balance may be tipped in the opposite direction occasionally. That’s OK, mistakes are a fundamental part of our development, and if we do not make mistakes we will never learn.

The secret is to ensure that you learn from those errors and avoid repeating the same mistakes again and again.

“There is no improvement without change. And there is no change without learning”

How Could Jane have stopped this from Happening?

Communication.

Yes our old friend Communication is the key, taking a step back and considering her options would have allowed her to communicate much more effectively with her boss and her family.

Her awareness of work and life would have allowed her to be non committal in the first instance, allowing her the option to discuss the matter with her family…being in control and not allowing events dictate your responses is a sure fire way to happiness. At work and at home!