Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, Sharing Time Is Being Wealthy!
Let’s look at this phrase and break it down in terms of work life balance. ‘Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, But Having Time Is Being Wealthy!’
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Take The ‘Do You Live To Work, Or Do You Work To Live Test.’ Let’s see which one you are riding.
is your career your greatest achievement so far?
Are you confused when others go home, having done ‘enough of a good job today,’ yet you stay until dark?
Do you worry that the process will fall apart if you are not there, when it goes wrong? Therefore your work phone is always on and your laptop is on holiday too?
Do you look to book your holidays, when you have time to be away, only to burn 3 weeks off in November, or lose it?
Did you sacrifice time with your family and friends, to take a promotion?
How is your work life balance?
Now, can you see where you are with this? ‘Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, But Having Time Is Being Wealthy!
Diagnosis – Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, Sharing Time Is Being Wealthy!
If you answered YES to some of these, then you are likely living to work. Thriving on work and still have energy for life? Be careful with your health. If you can’t then remember this quote below. If you hesitated on the last question, answer them all again and try once more.
When you are sitting in your rocking chair, no one will thank you for missing out on seeing your family and friends to do some work instead. Those people will have either moved on, or will criticise you for working too much and not living enough.
Simon
Be like Simon, work for a good company, that does not ask you to do that.
Remedy – Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, Sharing Time Is Being Wealthy!
Is your career your greatest achievement so far?
If you are married, or have children, or have great friends, or have achieved a dream goal, or are happy, or have a hobby that you love, then those are your greatest achievements. Your career supports these. It is good to have achievements in work, and feel proud, but balance this with achievements outside of work too.
Are you confused when others go home, having done ‘enough of a good job today,’ yet you stay until dark?
It is good to go home on time most days. Working overtime is perfectly healthy once a week. Working on your days off is not good, and if you do this often, you are neglecting yourself as well as others.
If you keep a notepad to jot down things that you need to remember to do at work that is good. It helps you to sleep as you have a reference. If you are lying in bed worried that you will forget to do something, or thinking of work around the house write it down, then leave it alone.
Recharging the batteries with fresh air, life with others, and variety and sleep, will fuel your work day tomorrow. Work efficiently, Prioritise the urgent and the important. Dispense with the not important and not urgent. Go home on time most days. Be happy and smile on your way out of the door. You owe yourself this much.
Do you worry that the process will fall apart if you are not there, when it goes wrong? Therefore your work phone is always on and your laptop is on holiday too!
if you are not available when things go wrong the company is not going to spontaneously combust. Deals can go on hold or, people can take initiative, or new ideas can evolve.
A good leader trains their staff so that they can do their job on their own or as a team, but without their everyday input. Nurturing at first, then letting out the rope, until they are not needed everyday. If the processes are good, the team can handle 80% of what happens when you are away. The 15% they will figure out and enjoy the challenge. If you communicate well with them, they will know what you would do, and will know your example already. The 5% they can’t figure can wait a week or 2 🙂
Do you look to book your holidays, when you have time to be away, only to burn 3 weeks off in November, or lose it?
I love this one. So many people believe that they are so critical to the business that they wait all year for gap, in the calendar. They dodge being off to solve a problem or be present for an important visit. I was one of these people, once and only once. I took 2 and a half weeks off in November, to use up leave, and did nothing with it. What a waste. The next January, my fantastic line manager said, plan your holidays now for this year and next.
Wow what a difference. I went out for a coffee with friends. We got the brochures out, planed Windsurf holidays, ski holidays, camping and boating trips, the lot. I had something to look forward to. I planned to be away, and got most of my work done ahead of that. Some I couldn’t get done in time, but my fantastic line manager was pleased with my effort, and everything was fantastically great. Colleagues knew I would be away, so they planned accordingly. As I was a Project Manager, I set a good example, and so other people started doing the same. Awesome!
Did you sacrifice time with your family and friends, to take a promotion?
This one is not so straight forward. In fact it is a complex question, that affects family, and friends and the individual concerned. Sometimes we have to sacrifice time with our loved ones, to make additional income, as we need it to survive. Sometimes, a bit less time for a bit more money, will pay for a holiday. These are some questions to help support a good decision. Choose your strategy wisely.
Can you perform your extra responsibilities, in the same reasonable working hours?
Is a promotion good for you and your family and friends?
Does the extra money give you all a better life?
Therefore, is the sacrifice of time worth it?
Will this new move change the dynamic forever?
How much sacrifice is too much?
What does your head tell you?
What does your heart tell you?
How is your work life balance? – Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, Sharing Time Is Being Wealthy!
Indulging In Money Makes You Rich, But Having Time Is Being Wealthy!
If you are still unsure, please feel free to email me to arrange a session.
Namaste
Simon