In this age of constant connectivity, it is important that we moms learn how to leave work at work after physically leaving the building.
You’ve heard the saying, “leave work at work”. But all of the wonderful advances in technology like email, Zoom meetings, and text messaging, makes leaving work at work much harder. Some jobs are easier to leave and transition to mommy mode than others. Positions where you can clock in and clock out and totally leave your work behind are becoming more obsolete. In most professions, the lines between working hours and personal hours are becoming blurred. We are all guilty of checking our work email at home in the evenings or taking just one more conference call before dinner!
It is important for moms to try to disconnect from work and truly leave work at work after physically leaving the building. We need to connect with our families and have more quality time. However, because of technology and our natural caretaker instincts, that seems to be an impossible task. We worry about our co-workers feelings that we hurt during the meeting this morning, we agonize over the angry email we received at 5 p.m. from our boss, or we worry about that big account we are trying to land. We do a lot of thinking and worrying, and it doesn’t automatically turn off when we arrive home.
FINDING YOUR FREE TIME!
Make the most of your daily 15-minute downtime gaps and create free time for the things you love! Get your FREE copy today!
So, how do you leave work at work and not bring home the problems of the day or bring home the additional office work you didn’t finish? Here are 4 steps that I use to try to help me leave my work at work.
4 STEPS TO LEAVE WORK AT WORK:
1. Create a schedule or to-do list for work BEFORE you leave.
Take a few minutes before you leave the office to schedule your next day, write down any important tasks that need to be accomplished, or document any deadlines that must be met. Scheduling out your tasks helps you mentally stop and close out for the day. It allows your brain to determine that, at least for today, you have finished your work and thought through what is needed for tomorrow. It provides you with a sense of closure. (You can download my FREE daily schedule below).
2. Use your commute home to process the events of the day.
Think through your problems, think through your ideas, process your frustrations and allow yourself to decompress before you arrive home. Prepare yourself to get into “mommy mode” as you walk in the door. Try to keep your children or husband from receiving the butt-chewing you wanted to give your co-worker! (I have LOTS of experience with this situation- so no judgment here!) You want them to get the best of you. (You can give your co-worker a piece of your mind tomorrow after you’ve had some time to rest and think about the situation! 😉)
This is easier said than done. It takes practice! I have a 25 minute commute before I get to my son’s school to pick him up. I try (so very, very hard) to be smiling and chipper when he opens the car door. Many days, I can do it and I can see a visible reaction in his face. He’s had a tough day at school too. Smiling and a positive attitude is so important. Some days I fail miserably at this step and my entire family suffers when I am irritable and did not leave my work at work!
3. Set a scheduled time to leave and stick to it.
This can be a very hard step to follow-even if you really want to. Sometimes, you just can’t say no to your boss. Sticking to firm schedule is not always easy and sometimes impossible. I know there are situations where you have to do what your boss says. But I have found that once you establish that “I will be available whenever you want” standard, they will use it often. If you have a firm boundary from the beginning, they are less likely to push it. Be clear from the start that you intend to leave each day at your regularly scheduled time (and don’t intend to work once you get home or that you will not answer emails or calls at home after a certain time).
A hard boundary doesn’t mean you can’t be somewhat flexible. If you know about a 6:30 p.m. meeting the day before, then you can schedule your time around it and attend that meeting. I just encourage you to make that an exception and not the norm. Let your office know that you have firm hours and you intended to keep them. If not, they will begin to expect you to adjust your schedule whenever necessary.
Some workers have flex hours, are self-employed or work from home. While boundaries are even harder to set under these situations, I encourage you to try to set a fixed schedule as much as possible. Try to keep your same flex scheduled hours each week, try to keep normal office hours if you are self-employed or work from home. Use an office space in your house that you go to and physically leave when work is over. Leave your work in that room.
4. Be present and enjoy your personal time.
Be totally present when you are at home with your family. Put down your phone (I know…this is a tough one!) and have a conversation with your kids or husband. Find a hobby that you enjoy and do that when you get home from work. Go out and socialize with friends. Celebrate and enjoy your downtime. You worked hard all day. You deserve it. Knowing that you have something wonderful or fun to do when you get home will make it easier for you to leave work at work too!
Work life balance is critical component of a happy life. When out of balance, either your work will suffer or your family will. But either way, it is a no- win situation for you. Finding that balance is key and it starts by setting boundaries and leaving work at work. Creating a schedule for the next day, using your commute to decompress, setting a firm clock-out time and finding enjoyment in your personal life are great steps to help you find that balance.
Want more ways to better manage your time? Grab the FREE guide!