In the Age of Smartphones, How Do We Balance Work, Creative Projects, and Personal Relationships? By Walter Wally

Sometimes I find myself setting my alarm clock for 5:00 in the morning (four hours before I arrive at the office) to allow time to go on a jog, start (or wrap up) some creative projects, or to have a sit down meal with my family.  The pressures of a busy work schedule can leave mere minutes at the end of the day to enjoy your time at home, so those precious hours in the morning give me that time back.  Smartphones, laptops, tablets, and our tech amenities connect us to our jobs more effectively than ever.  With the expectations of the modern workplace, there is hardly an excuse for turning off our phones and constant stream of emails.   

However, through trial and error, I have come up with some great ways to maximize your time at home, ensure effective use of time at work, get those creative juices flowing again, and to slow down the clock (and let your hair down/loosen that tie!)

First, calendar your free time. Yes, I know, this can zap all the magic and spontaneity out of that Sunday picnic or lunch with your significant other, but in these modern times, we sometimes need to schedule "fun."  So, guess what's in my calendar for Friday March 29, 2013? Yes, you guessed it- a leisure activity. I actually have it precisely scheduled as the following "8:00 P.M. - Dinner and a movie with family at Sunset."  For Sunday at 2:00 P.M. through 5:00 P.M., I calendared "Planetarium with the family."  For next Friday, I have "Poetry reading at Books and Books scheduled for 7:00 P.M." Seeing these activities on your regular calendar accomplishes some key objectives.  First, it builds momentum.  You know you have "fun" in your near future.  This allows you to finish up your work tasks efficiently and with anticipation of your pending reward.  Second, it ensures that you will treat your free-time with respect.  Many times, we put aside our mental downtime/creative up-time as unnecessary; when in fact, these activities boost your effectiveness and success at work and at home. 

Second, cut out the guilt.  Guilt is a powerful emotion and causes us to be ineffective and hard on ourselves, even when we are doing our very best.  For example, we may avoid delegating some of our duties because of guilt (i.e, not wanting to ask for assistance or feeling like we need to carry the loads ourselves).  Delegating our tasks at work can free up valuable hours in our day.   If a coworker’s workload is far lighter than yours and is willing to pitch in, or your assistant can help with a task, by all means, ask for help!  If your in-laws are willing to babysit or cook dinner one night a week, take them up on it.   If you can afford to hire someone to deep clean the house once a month, spend the extra cash and take your family for a day at the park, rather than a day inside mopping and dusting.  If you and your spouse need quality time together (ALONE), let the kids have a sleepover at grandpa’s and head out on the town.  If your spouse is closer to the grocery store, ask him or her to pick up some vegetable stock or toilet paper.  People get an innate satisfaction from helping- so instead of feeling guilty, feel grateful!

Third, maximize your effectiveness at work by writing down your goals for the day.  I start out my mornings by typing out my daily “to-do” list.  I list them in order of priority and try to wipe out at least 2-3 tasks before lunch.  This also helps me minimize work-place chit-chat and distractions.  When someone strolls in my office, I point to my list, they chuckle, and shuffle out.  There will obviously be occasional workplace landmines, which will shift your focus.  However, if you really hone in on your list, you will sure enough shift back.  Sometimes, I even ask my fiancé to check in with me at lunch hour and see where I am on my list.  This keeps me accountable for sticking to my schedule.  Also, the earlier I get home, the happier she is!

Fourth, wake up one hour earlier.  Daylight Saving Time just did this for us, right?  I am definitely not a morning person but I set my coffeemaker to 5:00 A.M., let the java brew its way into my dreams, and seduce me to follow its scent.  Adding just one extra hour to your day before work will dramatically change your afternoon, with minimal drawbacks (except maybe that snooze routine we pull every morning).  Do you know what punches I pack into that extra hour? A LOT.  I do some exciting push-ups, catch up on reading and blogging, followed by a home-cooked breakfast, and even a short walk with my incredible English Cocker Spaniel and my sleepy fiancée.  By the time I started getting dressed for work, I’ve already enjoyed some downtime and “me-time.”   Now, an important caveat:  never, ever, let that extra hour morph into work hour.  Do not, and I repeat- DO NOT- check your emails, open your laptop, or look at your phone during this sacred hour.  This hour is meant to be free from all technology.  Use it wisely!

Fifth and final recommendation:  Exercise outside- in any way, shape, or form.  I have a walk-obsessed dog.  She demands at least three walks a day.  This ensures that I get some Vitamin-D, some of Miami’s best tropical breeze, and some light cardio.  We spend way too much time indoors.  This kind of cabin (cubicle/workspace) fever will inevitably interfere with your energy and happiness at work and at home.  So, skip the gym and run for the sake of running (outside),  play tug of war with the kids, or start that veggie garden you've been jonesing for.

Let me know your thoughts and how you cope with stress and time management!

Signing off,
Walter Wally