When you consider all of the hard work you put into
becoming a nurse, it seems inconceivable to imagine not pursuing your career as
a nurse. However, many working parents
have turned away from a career they enjoyed due to the demands of family
life. It is a personal choice, however
if you need, or want to work when you have a family, it can be done. There is a proper way to balance family and
career, it just takes a little effort on your part, and on your families part
as well.
1. Morning Gratitude Moment
When you wake up in the morning, don’t jump out of bed
for your workout immediately, or drag yourself to the washroom. Sit up
straight, relax, and close your eyes. Say to yourself, “I am grateful for those
who support me, believe in me and are always there for me.”
Say this with a deep breath in between each time you
say it, and I recommend saying it for a full five minutes. When you open your
eyes and look at everything around you – keeps that moment of gratitude with
you, throughout your day, reminding yourself how you can’t wait to get home to
your loving family.
2. Workout Partners
Begin your day by stretching with your family and doing
some physical activity together. All you need is 10 minutes. You’ve
accomplished a two-for-one: physical activity and family time!
3. Family Playlist
On your iPod, iPhone, or MP3 player, make a playlist of
your family’s favorite music. When you take a break at work or feel a negative
moment getting the best of you, listen to that music, think about your family
and re-gain your focus. Music is a powerful voice and has the ability to affect
our mindset: your family playlist will energize your mood.
Related: What
to Expect as an Emergency Nurse
4. Daily Phone Call
At least once a day call your significant other or your
kids and repeat Stevie Wonder: “I just called to say I love you, I just called
to say how much I care.” Let your family know they are always in your thoughts.
Even in the face of a big deadline or an important meeting, that moment will
relax you and make your family smile!
5. Clarify Your
Work Hours & Expectations
Discuss with your boss her/his expectations
of you in regards to your time and your position to foster mutual and clear
understanding of your role. Should your role involve evening/weekend hours, and
tasks such as answering e-mails, working from home, or extra time needed
for special projects, establish a strategy and discuss with your boss how to
meet these expectations, so you don’t feel overwhelmed and pulled between your
family and your job.
If you are a new parent, have family that requires
special needs or have personal circumstances which require attention, bring
these up as necessary, so if you have to leave early, there is an understanding
of why this is the case.
6. Socializing At
Work
It’s common for colleagues to hang out after work. Say
yes when your significant other and/or kids are also busy. This will balance
things out more. There are times to have beers with colleagues but there are
also times to go home, relax, rent a movie, and simply have fun with your
family.
7. Buffer Moment
We all deal with a lot at work and at times might get
irritated or annoyed. Remember you are a human being, not a robot and thus it’s
acceptable to have a buffer moment for these feelings. Take a deep breath, zone
into your happy space that involves your family, think about how your energy
can be used towards something else and move on.
As Yoda put it, “Do or do not, there is no try.” Don’t
try to leave at 6:00 PM or 5:30 PM just do it. Allocate the last half-hour of
your day to do the following and leave at 5:30/6:00 PM:
- For two minutes, take deep breaths, in and out, looking away from your desk, feeling the moment of gratitude you felt in the morning- turn back to focus on leaving to see your family at home
- Organize your emails, based on what is to be reviewed, what requires follow-up and what needs a response after your breakfast/snack meal- your emails are emails: not a to-do list.
- Write-out your to-do list, priorities, goals, and key items for the next day
- Double-check that you have enough water in your bottle and healthy desk snacks
- Organize your desk so that:
o Your
to-do list is in front of you;
o Papers
for review are next to your list; and
o Keep
a pen ready with blank paper to jot down extra notes, don’t rely always on your
computer- rely on yourself and your mind.
9. Cell and TV-Free
Dinner
At the dinner table leave your cell and the television
away from the dinner table, and put on music. Focus on your family, not on
work, and use this as time to bring all your energy, your aura and your being
in the moment with the people who support and believe in what you do, and love
you for the ability to do what you do.
10. Your Work
Journal
Keep a two-week work diary: try to track every fifteen
minutes of your work time. After that, analyze for, and attack any inefficiency!
This will import balance in your day and yield a well-deserved coffee break, a
breath of fresh air and time to make your daily family phone call!
Does e-mail control you and take you away from your
priority list, and thus your work-life balance? Organizational skills are an important
factor in how you balance your day, affecting your work-life balance. Get
organized and get happy!
It is truly a family affair to have parents or a parent
that works outside the home. Time is
precious and often in short supply, so always make the best of it. Involve family in the decisions made on how
to organize things, and what activities you will do as a family in your free
time. With a family effort, and some
organizational skills, your career and family life can be balanced and be a
great success.
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