It Was A Lovely 2 Weeks Of An Early Work Shift

The good thing about these last two weeks, of which tomorrow is the last day, is that I have been working a day shift. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm which means that I am free after 5:30 to have coffee and a snack at leisure and then relax till my dinner time, which is around 9 pm, and then watch tv from 9:30 pm or 10 pm. The downside is that I ofcourse have to wake up at 7am and since I am not used to waking up that early for a very long time. It is murder on me but I do like logging out of work early in the evening.

That waking up though – if I get a good night’s sleep, then it isn’t a big problem. However I rarely do get that full night’s sleep. I tend to wake up at the slightest noise. So I need more time to shake off the cobwebs and a strong cup or coffee (or two) before I can start work. But with the work starting at 8:30 am, and since it’s a training I am conducting training for a set of 20 people who are sitting in Chennai, I do not have much time for anything. I brush my teeth and wash my face before getting coffee and then coming back to my bedroom and switching my laptop on. By 8 am I am ready for a shower and the quickly make my breakfast – sandwiches with mayo or peanut butter – before switching on my work laptop.

Yes, all that in 30 minutes. By 8:45 pm all the trainees would be logged into their systems and my Webex bridge and we start for the day. I get time to eat my breakfast as I have to make them do an activity first for 30 minutes, which gives me time to quickly check my work emails as I eat my breakfast. By 9:15 am I start the training and then give them a break at 10:30 am so they can have coffee and a snack. 20 minutes later we are back at it till 1pm when I give them a 40 minute break for lunch. At 5:15 pm, I have them fill out the day’s survey and then let them go to get their cabs that will take them home. And I am free!

How To Manage A Work Life Balance

  • Manage your time. Give yourself enough time to get things done. Don’t overschedule yourself.
  • Learn to say “no.” Evaluate your priorities at work and at home and try to shorten your to-do list. Cut or delegate activities you don’t enjoy or can’t handle — or share your concerns and possible solutions with your employer or others. When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you’ll have more time for activities that are meaningful to you.
  • Detach from work. Working from home or frequently using technology to connect to work when you’re at home can cause you to feel like you’re always on the job. This can lead to chronic stress. Seek guidance from your manager about expectations for when you can disconnect. If you work from home, dress for work and have a quiet dedicated workspace, if possible. When you’re done working each day, detach and transition to home life by changing your outfit, taking a drive or walk, or doing an activity with your kids.
  • Consider your options. Ask your employer about flex hours, a compressed workweek, job sharing or other scheduling flexibility. The more control you have over your hours, the less stressed you’re likely to be.
  • Relax. Regularly set aside time for activities that you enjoy, such as practicing yoga, gardening or reading. Hobbies can help you relax, take your mind off of work and recharge. Better yet, discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends — such as hiking, dancing or taking cooking classes.