In the recent weeks previous to writing this blog I’ve been swamped at work. Deadlines to meet, problems to solve, large projects to shepherd to completion and the normal challenges of balancing all that work has to offer with the even more critical responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood. That’s why I’m so interested in Work/Life Balance. I’m sure that there are people who have bigger challenges and responsibilities than I do, but I’m putting my whole heart into the work God has called me to and to the organization that He has given me stewardship over. In the past years, my times studies have shown that I’m regularly working 70 plus hours a week.
I mention that because I KNOW that there are people out there who are going to argue with the premise, that EVERYONE should unplug once a month. With Twitter, Facebook, Email, and cell phones every present 24/7 there seems to be an expectation, often self imposed, that we must respond to all things immediately.
But don’t be seduced into the idea that you and ONLY you can solve all these problems and that you must be leashed to your technology and job at all times. Take time, at least once a month to unplug from it all. Why once a month? Because it’s just too easy to let weeks and weeks go by without coming up for air. You work all week and then keep in touch with your work all weekend. Don’t do it, unplug from it all to really get refreshed.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Inform everyone. ”I’m gonna unplug and get away” is a good way to start the conversation. Then let them know that “in an emergency” they can leave a message. I know what you’re thinking, “my job is really important and i can’t do that.” Here at the The Rescue Mission all of our facilities are running 24/7, 365 yet I’m telling you that it is possible. In fact, you’re not much of a leader if you can’t do it!
2. Turn it off. Once you’ve let people know you’re off the grid – really get off the grid. Go for a hike, bike ride, to the beach, do something to take you’re mind off the work. You’re spouse will probably be a big help here. She/He doesn’t understand why you can’t do this anyway so she/he will remind you to turn off the phone.
3. Have a goal to refresh and reboot. I understand from my friends who don’t have a Mac that a computer will sometimes have so much stuff going on that it will just freeze. This is what we do in our own lives, sometimes you just have to reboot. Think on something interesting, read a book, play with the kids, make love to your spouse, veg out a little bit.
I’ve done it the last two weekends and it’s been great. Let me know how it goes for you. DC
