10 tips to get the most out of your time outside of work
One of the biggest concerns charity leaders have is that their work somehow ends up always being their priority, not only ahead of themselves, but it somehow ends up combing before their family, friends, their kids. It's not intentional, how often have you promised yourself that you will have better boundaries, that you work check your phone, that you won't work on holiday. And even when you do manage to stick to this, you can find yourself distracted, and those around you see it. They know when you're only half listening, when your eyes glaze over as you run through next week's actions, or what needs to go into the next lot of board papers.
And it's not just a problem for CEO's, Exec or Senior teams, this pattern is present in staff throughout the sector.
How Did We Get Here?
This happens because this is what is often modelled to us when we start our career in the sector, the manager who says give me a call if you need anything as they leave (something they intend as helpful, but is already sending the message that we always need to be on), the leader who stays til 10 or 11 following a merger or TUPE to get everything in place, the senior leader who works through their leave to get the fundraising bid done, the CEO who answers every email, even when they're sick. These behaviours, along with how important the work feels to us, teaches us early on that the sector requires self-sacrifice, and that it's normal for us to work in this way, and that if we can't hack it there's something wrong, we're just not resilient enough.
The culture of the organisation maintains this way of work, and in the worst cases when someone does prioritise themselves, making leaving on time their norm, not working through the weekends or leave, taking time off when they are sick, this can be frowned upon, they're not committed enough, or setting a good example. The sector rewards overwork and punishes taking a healthy, balanced approach to work.
It Doesn't Have to Be Like This
But it doesn't have to be like this, and I'm happy to say that not all charities want to work this way, but changing these ingrained practices can be difficult, after all it goes against everything we believe to be true. So, if this resonates, here are 10 tips to help you enjoy your time outside of work.
10 Ways to Reclaim Your Time Outside Work
Hold the work more gently – yes, the work matters, but it's not more important that than your life outside work
Be clear what is important to you in life beyond work, and why
Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and that is enough
Practice saying no – the more you do it, the easier it becomes
Be realistic about what you can achieve in the working hours available to you
Ask yourself whether the task you want to stay to complete really is urgent, or whether it will wait til tomorrow
Create a routine to help you switch off at the end of the day
Recognise what you have achieved instead of focussing on what you still need to do
Remember time away from work will support your resilience and make you more effective
Plan the things you enjoy and energise you outside of work
The hard truth is you have one life. You're replaceable at work, but not at home.
I know for some of you the idea that you're doing enough may be difficult to accept. There is so much to do, little resource, and it all falls on your shoulders. It's a lot of pressure to bear. The reality is that there is only so much one person can do before they push themselves to burnout.
And this is the difficult choice many leaders are facing: work in a more balanced way, accepting that you can't do it all, so that you can be more effective and enjoy your time outside of work. Or try to do it all, now, but risk not only missing out on life outside of work, but burning out too.
You don't have to make this choice alone. If you're struggling to switch off, or finding it impossible to protect your time outside work, book a time to chat. Let's talk about how you can create the balance you need.