Balancing Your Time
“You’re my #1 customer,” says workaholic Howard Langston in the 1996 film Jingle All the Way. It may be a phrase that works wells for Langston’s clients, but it’s not what his wife wants to hear when she calls him at the office to ask why he’s not attending the graduation ceremony for his son’s karate class. Like many of us, Langston is passionate about his work, but even when we’re passionate, we still need balance.
An interesting real-life example of devotion to business and family to the professed exclusion of all else is Carlos Brito, 55-year-old Brazilian CEO of InBev, which took over Anheuser-Busch in 2008. If you are a GKIC member, read about him in the January 2016 No B.S. Newsletter. If not, check out Fortune.com’s interview here.
“Easier said than done,” you say, glancing at your calendar app that has a lot of scheduled appointments color-coded in red, green and blue filing it up and precious little in the way of unused white space. Here are some tips to help:
You are the ultimate arbiter of your schedule. Nothing goes on there unless you allow it to. If you feel like you’ve taken on too much, learn when to say no to additional responsibilities. Set boundaries as to when you will and won’t be available. With those boundaries in place, build some downtime into your day. Some people are more comfortable with a less rigid schedule, but if you’re the type that likes to have every moment designated, then by all means mark: “downtime” on your Google calendar. Don’t forget to schedule time to work ON your business.
Drop activities and people that sap your time and your energy. Take a hard look at how your time is really being spent. Are you spending way more time on social media than you planned? Getting drawn into office politics or the neighbor’s ongoing drama? Know when to step away.
Schedule one thing you look forward to each day. Whether it’s listening to a few of your favorite songs on Internet radio, a great podcast, or reliving the highlights of last night’s big game, make a point to spend time doing it. Even a few minutes can brighten your day and make you feel more relaxed.
A little downtime can go a long way. At the end of Jingle All the Way, Langston has been on a madcap chase around the city, nearly been arrested and almost trampled by a crazed herd of shoppers — all in an effort to be more of a family man.
You don't need to go to those lengths. Instead set smaller goals like leaving the office one hour earlier a week, or planning a weekend getaway with your family. You’ll be happier, more relaxed and more productive. Sometimes, it helps to be your own #1 customer.