By Jofi Baldrich
A member of YPO since 2003
Certified YPO Forum Facilitator
While there is no magic formula for disconnecting from work while you are at home, you can live a more plentiful, meaningful life … and you will feel the difference.
How can we really disengage from work? Does it take some super human powers to be able to do this? Is it really possible to do that anyway?
The answer is yes. It is possible to separate your work from family time. You can disconnect from work if you are willing to take the necessary steps. Let’s think about some of the reasons you might enjoy cutting off work once you are at home.
First, taking a break from the office helps rest and relax your mind. As a result of detaching yourself from the daily work routine, you will return to work more focused and effective. Mark my words: YOU WILL feel more productive tackling all your issues at work.
If you are married and/or have kids, don’t they deserve your full attention? If you are thinking about your partner or family while you’re working, is anything really being accomplished? So, why not liberate yourself from work when you are at home.
Second, you will be more appreciative and more present during the important events life has to offer. Get ready to really enjoy your family more. You will start noticing things about your spouse or partner that you missed before because your mind was too cluttered with work. Your kids – you will start truly listening to everything they tell you about their day and you will see them with in a new light. You will be engaged in their lives. This will make your relationships stronger and more meaningful.
Being more productive at work and being present with your family are two powerful reasons to disconnect. I trust that you can come up with many other ideas as to why you should unplug from your job when you get home. Given these points, how can we go about achieving this? Here are a few simple practices you can incorporate into your daily routine to be more present in work and in life.
- Focus on one goal at a time. Think right now of just one thing you can do to be more present at home. What about finishing that phone call before you enter the house, so you are fully ready to say hello to your loved ones? Identify that one thing you can do, and start there. Trying to change too many things at once is setting yourself up for failure.
- Pace yourself. CHANGE TAKES TIME! You can do it. With time and dedication; it does not have to be all or nothing. Remember you are human after all. Expecting full disconnection from work the first time you try it and then getting frustrated when you have to take a call during family dinner isn’t helping you toward your goal. Give yourself a break.
- Make a change that you can commit to. What are some things that you can start doing to distance yourself from work – things that you really want to change? For instance, whenever you get home, you will make time for yourself or your family by exercising, working on your garden, reading a novel, watching TV with the family, anything! Finding something you are passionate about it will make it easier to achieve it.
- Ask for support. You do not have to do this alone. Ask for help from anyone who can assist you in accomplishing your goal.
- Finally, here’s the catch. It is up to you to make it happen. Unplugging from work takes time. Go easy on yourself. You will soon realize all the incredible benefits of disconnecting at home. Now, get ready to share the new you with the people you love!
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