Val Grubb & Associates - The Office Operations Problem-Solvers

Usage of the phrase ‘work-life balance’ only started in the United Stated in 1986¹, so it’s no wonder that we’re still struggling to figure it out 20+ years later.  Many business cases can be made about the benefits of work-life balance within an organization, but let’s face it, there are so many looming deadlines, impending projects and shortage of personnel, it can be easy to work yourself into a tailspin.  Don’t think you’re alone though: 

• According to a survey conducted by Northwestern National Life, 4 out of every 10 employees state that their jobs are ‘very or extremely’ stressful.²    This level of stress kills; too much stress can result in high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.³  (Are you at risk?  Spend 10 seconds and take this quick stress test.)
• Another study by the Center for Work-Life Policy (a NY based think tank dedicated to this idea) indicated 1.7 million Americans consider their jobs and their work hours excessive because of globalization.   Today more than ever, it’s likely you’re working for a company with international presence, meaning a late email to a client in China, followed by an early morning conference call with colleagues in London.
• In a study by Harvard and McGill University researchers, the United States misses the mark when it comes to family oriented workplace policies such as maternity/paternity leave, paid sick days, maximum work weeks and bereavement leave.⁴ 

 Simply put, US companies fall behind other countries when it comes to making sure employees can create balance between work and home.

 Meaning, it’s up to YOU to seize control of your life and try to force some balance in there because your company is not going to help you out.  A couple things to try that have been helpful for me:

• Schedule down time on a regular basis, even if it’s merely a day or two at home where you catch up on laundry or other sundry tasks.  Feeling like you’re in control at least in your home life can help alleviate your stress levels.  Of course, a vacation away is the best option, but not always financially practical.  The key is, get out of the office and unplug for a while (yes, unplug as in set the blackberry or ipad down and focus on something else).
• Take a moment and remind yourself why you work in the first place. Consciously look at your bank account or mortgage statement and remember why money is important.  Travel too much?  Look at your ever-growing airline miles account and think about using miles to go away somewhere fun or use as a gift to bring friends or relatives to you.  Remembering the financial benefits and other perks work provides may help you at least put things in perspective and get through challenging days.
• Employ the five-year rule.  Will this client’s behavior bother you in 5 years?  Or those poor office politics?  Heck, in today’s environment of rotating staff, will your boss he here in a year?  Remember that daily stresses are often not long term, so grab a coffee (or a cocktail!), step out of your current environment and assess the situation at 35,000 feet.  Hopefully life’s daily stresses won’t matter as much as we think in the grand scheme of things.
• As much as I’ll tout having a few cocktails to relax, it’s not a long-term strategy for coping with hardcore daily stress.  You MUST take care of your health.  Getting sick (or being perpetually hungover) is not a long-term strategy and can help tip your stress level into the red.  Take vitamins, eat fruits and veggies every day and get in a stress-busting workout or even just a 20-minute walk during lunch at least 3-4 times a week.  I’ve started boxing with my trainer and the pleasure of punching someone (even virtually) who truly deserves it can be quite satisfying and the impact will be immediately balancing!
• Re-connect with your friends, family and community.  As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.  Turn to your support network to problem solve or even just to vent.  Better yet, get out into your community and volunteer.  You’ll do good while putting your own problems into perspective.
• Have kids?  Our advice is to simplify.  Children don’t need things – they need you.  Keep toys, meals, furniture, and clothing as simple as possible and focus instead on the TIME you spend with your kids.  This is a much larger discussion and one that Lisa Belkin tackles perfectly in her blog, Motherlode.

 Remember, this is your life we’re talking about.  Unfortunately no one but you can do anything about the stress in your life and your work/life balance.  So commit to just one of the above for 4 weeks and see if it makes a difference in your life. 

1 – Wikipedia – Work Life Balance

2 – CDC Study: Stress…At Work, 1999

3 – BBC – The Consequences of Too Much Stress

4 – Survey: U.S. workplace not family-oriented 5.22.2007

Writing an article on figuring out your passion may be an unusual topic for a blog on management issues.  However, my blog hit a milestone last week - one year(!) since my inaugural blog was published and it has reminded me how much I LOVE writing!  When I was a child, I used to write story after story for my parents (and anyone else who would read them).  Somewhere along the road to adulthood, my passion for writing was lost.  Or should I say, it was merely dormant as I’ve found my passion again while writing my blog and have maintained it for a year now.  Turns out that is a feat unto itself; according to Technorati¹, a search engine for blogs, 95% of blogs are abandoned within a year from inception.

I’m guessing you’ve got a passion beyond your day-to-day that’s longing to burst forth.  The challenge is how to focus on your passion when deadlines loom both in the office and outside.  I’m guilty myself as demonstrated by the lag in publishing a new blog since taking on a new 6-month full-time consulting project in LA.  Bi-weekly turned into bi-monthly on the way to the airport!

What’s on your list that never sees the light of progress? (That’s your passion list, not your laundry list).  Now is the time to take your first steps towards what you want to accomplish in your life.  To get started:

1. Complete a career oriented worksheet to help you uncover and explore your long-dormant passion.
2. Figure out how to work in progress every week.  This can be as simple as carving out 30 minutes of time to contemplate, research, plan and actively pursue your passion.  Problems with time management?  Read this article from the Mayo Clinic: Tips to Reduce Stress and Improve Productivity
3. In a study sponsored by the Ford Foundation², 67% of people generally know what they want but don’t have any plans on how to get it.  Lay out a simple plan on paper, which will keep you on track when other responsibilities tug at your time.  Keep your plan in close reach – so you’re reminded of it everyday.  Consider using a SMART goals worksheetto help you define your goals and timeframe.

Get started now, before another two months go by and you realize your passion is still, or once again, dormant!

What’s your passion?  Share your passion here with 1500+ followers and we’ll check back in two months to see what progress you’ve made! 

1. Source: NY Times: Blogs Falling in an Empty Forest

2. Source: Abundant Lives Coaching: Writing Down your Goals/Visions

Sometimes job changes are made by choice, but often they’re forced upon us through lay-offs or a company merger. Even if you survive a lay-off, your position will probably change as you absorb the responsibilities of your former colleagues. In either case, it’s naïve to think that job change won’t affect you at some point in the new future.

It can be devastating to be laid-off unexpectedly; however, don’t spend your time dwelling on the past. Instead, focus on your future. Actually, you can give yourself one week to mope. Then, dust yourself off and start networking. In today’s hyper world of too many expectations, it can be challenging to keep in touch. However, it’s time to restore those connections whether they’re in your desired field or not.  We’ll discuss networking in depth in next week’s blog; however, according to the US Department of Labor Statistics, 70% of all jobs are found from networking, NOT by blind resume submissions.

Meanwhile, while you’re looking for a job, focus on keeping your spirits up; go to the gym, take long walks, do yoga, have a cocktail…. do what it takes to keep a positive attitude. Focusing on the negative only creates a downward spiral and is counterproductive to finding your new gig.  Understand that finding a job is a job and it may take a while.  So do whatever it takes to keep your confidence level high.

Resume writing is an art form anymore and there are TONS of articles you can peruse on how to craft a resume that properly highlights your talents. It’s cliché, but true: it’s easier to write about your work while you’re working. That said, a lot of us procrastinate until it’s needed. Here are a couple of interesting templates (available for download when you register on my website) on constructing your resume based on your circumstances:

• If you’re staying in the same field, use the professional resume template, also a standard go-to if you’re not sure where to start.
• If you’re changing fields, use the job changer resume that focuses more on your professional achievements and skills and less on employment history.
• If you’re returning to your academic field, use an academic resume that focuses on your educational history.

If you find yourself unable to find a new gig in your current profession or you have a job and you’re miserable, perhaps it’s time to consider changing careers. Do you have a secret passion? Do you yearn to pick up a hobby long dormant? What do you really enjoy doing day to day? Perhaps now is your chance to think outside the box and dare yourself to pursue your dreams. Consider the Wall Street worker turned whoopie pie maker, or the civil engineer turned chocolatier. The key is to try lots of things and see what makes you happy. From there, research how to monetize that passion, even if it takes time to achieve. There is no time like the present to get started on the next chapter in your life.

In next week's blog, we'll delve deeper in to how to effectively network as it's such an important part of your personal change equation.