Put Your Baggage Down
Photo by Waldemar
Keeping our work life and personal life separate is a major issue for many of us, especially if we work at home. Without clear, defined boundaries, one aspect can easily bleed into the other, making both a muddy mess. In addition, there’s frequently a feeling of some distracting energy nearby tugging at our attention and reducing the intensity of focus that’s necessary for important projects.
To find a healthy rhythm, we need to protect each aspect of our lives from the onslaught of daily drama and problem solving. I can’t tell you how many clients’ best efforts to stay aligned with their integrity with their personal and work commitments find themselves regularly sabotaged by the need to put out fires. And it never seems to end. Instead, it becomes a regular occurrence that is disruptive and frustrating.
While we can’t stop the occurrence of unexpected external events, there are some things we can do to help us create some stronger boundaries between our personal and professional lives.
Set intentions and create a plan for the week, and stick to it. Ideally do this on Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning before the week officially starts.
Let the people in your life know when you’re available and when you’re not. Many people don’t take boundaries seriously. It’s up to you to let people know what you need.
Limit the amount of time you spend responding to email and the phone. It puts you at the mercy of other people’s agendas rather than your own. It is reactive rather than pro-active.
Make a commitment to spend a block of time everyday to focus on your priorities. Time spent this way will be extremely rewarding and give you a strong sense of accomplishment and momentum.
So that tasks from your personal life aren’t all piled onto the weekend, set aside some time for a few of these task during the week. This will give you a feeling of having more balance in your life.
If you get derailed by some event in your personal or professional life, don’t let it take you down too far. Take some time to assess where you are and what needs to be done and then get back on track as soon as you’re able.
Do yourself and others a favor by not dragging big suitcases of drama from your personal life into your work life and vice versa. Otherwise you’ll burn out and not able to be present for any of it. Honor the boundaries between the two. When you have clear boundaries, you’ll be so much more refreshed and available to what’s in front of you, that you won’t want to return to your old habits.
Put your baggage down. Travel lightly between your personal and personal worlds. Both will be much better for it.