out-of-control, or that is how it feels at times. Some days you are connected
with those you love and other days you feel so distant. Other days, you are so
productive that you are amazed, while others you feel burned out because of
over work.
years. Driving hard, making things happening and trying to manage work/life
balance.
usually speak it to people, with the goal of getting them to work less and
connect more. Again, that doesn’t work. And again, I know because I have both
tried it and have been spoken to by these noble friends.
That is where most work life balance tools go wrong. They assume that if busy
adults could simply manage their time then all will be well and everyone will
enjoy them and vice versa.
than time. For instance, I can schedule a lunch with my wife during the week
because I want to feel good that I connected with her during the work day, but
actually be very far away from her. My body may be at the lunch, but my mind
might be very far away. The same can occur with time with kids or friends.
Therefore, we have to master our minds in order to shift into the right gears
at the right time. Time is not the issue, our mindset is.
your mindset so that you can be both present and productive in a consistent
way:
1.
Pick a marker that triggers your mind to shift
from task mode to connected mode. I currently use a bridge as my marker to
shift my mind into the best gear to be present with my family on the way home.
The results will be more connectivity with your family with greater peace in
your personal life.
2. Use time to cause you to shift into the
appropriate gear. The :58’s are good triggers to cause you to shift. If you
have a meeting at 3PM, then use 2:58 to shift into thinking about your next
meeting and the person specifically that you are going to meet. The results
will be increased influence and more productivity as well.
3. Don’t look at email before breakfast if possible.
When we choose to do so we let others set our agenda for the day based on their
email or request. When you choose to wait then you can appropriately recharge
and be energized for the day ahead.
I my new book, I take these concepts deeper by
using a metaphor called the “5 Gears.” It is based on a manual stick-shift
transmission, with each gear correlating to a corresponding behavior that
people shift into at certain times and with certain people. Each gear has a
purpose, and if you apply this driving analogy to the way you “drive” your life
– aligning the right gear with the right speed and situation – it will allow
for a smooth journey. The goal being to help busy adults become
masters in emotional intelligence.
possibly with becoming overwhelmed by your work consistently, then your mind
might be stuck in 4th or 5th gear. If you don’t shift
appropriately then you will stay stuck in a gear that will eventually cause
burnout, discontentment from loved ones and a disconnection from reality. Most adults live in that space today.
shift your mind to be in the right gear at the right time and you will
experience a work life balance based that leads to you being present and
productive.
Jeremie Kubicek is co-author of 5 Gears: How to Be Present and Productive When There Is Never Enough
Time and co-founder of GiANT Worldwide, a global company dedicated to transforming
and multiplying leaders and teams. Follow him on Twitter at @jeremiekubicek.