4 Rules to Bringing Work Home

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Rules to Bringing Work Home

“Mommy, I’m going to work,” he said. Then he took out his CARS laptop and began typing and clicking away. “Like Mommy!”

There are times when I have to bring my work home. I’ve been trying to cut down on that, to spend more quality time with the family, and have been successful. Whew. I understand that there will be times that when you just have to bring home a bunch of papers to review or answer e-mail. I also acknowledge your desire to find that balance of family time when at home! So for those moments when you can’t help but bring work home home, here are four tips. These have worked for me, and I hope they work for you too.

1. Do you really have to work? That’s the first question I ask myself when I’m tempted to open my laptop and check my mail. Sometimes the need to work at home is triggered by my workaholic tendencies. I don’t want to be out of the loop at work, so want to stay connected as much as possible. The sacrifice there is while I’m trying to stay connected to work while at home, I’m losing connection with the people at home, at that very moment. That totally sucks. So I ask myself — do I REALLY have to work? If the answer is no, I keep my laptop in my laptop bag and my work phone at bay.

2. Can that work wait till tomorrow? So I say to the previous question, “Yup, I really have to work.” The next question is, “Can it wait till the next day?” Chances are it can — I just can’t resist getting a head start. But again, what I gain for the next day I lose in precious moments at that very moment. So if the work is not actionable this evening and can wait till tomorrow, don’t work.

3. Don’t install your work mail on your smart phone. This happened to me by accident — a delightful accident, I might add. A few months ago, my work phone was connected to my business email. Then we had to make some technical changes and I ended up having to uninstall my email app from my work phone. I resisted installing the new work email app and felt how much more stress-free I was! Until today, I have not installed the email app in my workphone. Haha! Work-life balance at home for the win. No more need to check my phone every once in awhile. I’ve felt more peace of mind, really!

4. Set a time period for working and let your husband and children know. If you really have to work, set a reasonable deadline. “I have to work from 10-12 midnight to finish a presentation for tomorrow,” I’d tell my husband. He knows the drill. He’d take care of our son during that time. They’d usually watch a late movie or play LEGO toys, and I’d get to work in peace. “I’ll be working, Timmy,” I’d tell my son, so he knows not to bother me during those times. The more interruptions I have, the longer it takes me to finish the tasks. The key here is discipline. Finish the tasks within the deadline you gave yourself and avoid extending. That means avoiding distractions like checking social media, absentmindedly surfing, or playing games to take a ‘break’.

These four rules to bringing work home (or not bringing work home) have helped me manage my time better as a wife and mother. When I’m at home, it’s all about family and I want to keep it that way regardless of how loaded my work plate is. It’s not easy, but we try our best to make it work.

Cheers to work-life balance!

5 Comments on 4 Rules to Bringing Work Home

  1. Maggie
    April 30, 2015 at 1:11 pm (9 years ago)

    Couldn’t agree more to these especially when I was still working. Oh especially on your third point. I keep on telling my colleagues that installing your work email to your phone (in our office before, installing the office mail in the phone allows you to access the office communication system, Lync) simply means you can be accessed 24/7. Ergo, 24/7 at work.
    Maggie´s last blog post ..The Lil Lion’s Christening: Details

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    • Toni
      April 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm (9 years ago)

      Hi Maggie! Grabe, I had to resist bringing the workaholic home. Not having my work mail on my mobile phone significantly changed how I’d deal with working at home. That was a major step for me and I’m glad I took that little leap!

      Reply
  2. angie
    May 6, 2015 at 11:24 am (9 years ago)

    Since I have a separate work phone from my personal phone, I end up not checking it (most of the time) until the next day. Most of the time, if I am unable to answer a work-related text, it can resolve itself or it can wait the next day. As for e-mail, I also don’t pay attention to it unless at work. When I was on maternity leave, I was not in the least curious to check on my email. Di lang talaga ako workaholic (the politically-correct term for “tamad ako.” hehe!). Thank God I’ve gotten away with decent appraisals despite this (non)work habit. Hehe!
    angie´s last blog post ..Milestones: Alab

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    • Toni
      May 15, 2015 at 9:08 am (9 years ago)

      Galing! Ako I really can’t help it! It’s a nightly battle!!!!

      Reply

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