by Kahu Brian
I recently read an article about a study at Texas A&M Study that shows when a supervisor has work-life balance they are happier. This results in a better mood for the group and for the results of the organization. The article doesn’t say it, but I would think this cascade effect would also follow at home and throughout the whole life of that person.
It reminded me of a conversation I overheard. A friend of mine was speaking with the CEO of the company where I worked. They were chatting about golf, which the CEO was famous for playing during the week even while running the company. My friend said, “I wish I could find the time to play golf as often as you do, sir.” Our CEO offers back, “Manage your job better and you can.” This put the responsibility where it belongs…with the person. I am the only one who will make me walk away from my computer.
My actions take me where I want to be, either at home or at work. I know if I am happier at work, this allows for more balance at home. “Home” being everywhere outside of work. That would mean with my family, but also at the grocery store, in traffic and, also, when I sleep at night. Taking responsibility for the choice to “work” or “go home” gives us great joy.
For those who are still working in corporations, the culture of some companies has become more like Jack Welch (former CEO of GE) who said, “There’s no such thing as work-life balance.” He calls it work-life choice. I offer that choice delivers balance. His choice is a balance of 100% on work. If your goal is for you tomb stone to read “dedicated worker” that choice may work for you.
When I worked in corporate I had a certain perspective gained by one concept I heard back in the early 1990‘s.
First, fill a bath tub with water. Put your foot in. Take your foot out. The space you see left behind by your foot in the water is how much a corporation needs you. I have been told that is ‘harsh‘. I found it liberating. Especially after seeing how my father was treated at retirement by the company he worked at for nearly 30 years.
If you leave a big company tomorrow, by choice or force, the company will keep going. That is very evident with the massive layoffs and all the companies that are still around. So if you choose to be there, be present and have a great time.
I begin with Ho’omaika’i (gratitude). I am grateful for where I am at any given time. When I was commuting for a corporate job, I was grateful for the train (even if it was late). I was grateful for the “crack”-berry that let me stay connected when I wanted. I was grateful for 5pm when I walked out the door as often as possible.
I am still grateful for the people along the way. That may have been the only reason I was in my corporate job, to meet them. From the random conversations on the train about books we were reading or newspaper articles to a recipe from the guy who worked at the commissary for salsa. Every person I met brought some kind of joy and power to the moment of our engagement.
Some times I was grateful for the past which gave me what I needed before I knew I even needed it.
This moment right now is when and where I am grateful. My moment only happens because of me. My moments continue because I create them. If I am gone the moments will stop. So I offer gratitude for being able to be here with you right now. Now I am grateful. Still grateful. Yep, still grateful. You get the picture.
