Business or Pleasure

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Susan G. Komen (SGK) kick off party. While the event was nice, I noticed that there are a lot of business professionals that do not know how to have a good time.

As I buzzed past a table or two, the only subject that seemed to be flowing was work. Granted, this was an employee sponsored event. I just felt that it did not need to involve the day to day of being an employee. Think about it, in the last week we have had some real drama in the news that would go well as conversation over cocktails.

My take away (outside of the fact that SGK is an important and worthy cause), was that we need to learn how to stop mixing business with pleasure!!

Work life balance needs to make a serious comeback. The type of balance that teeters a little bit more to the side of life and less to the side of work. I am not saying that we should quit our jobs, protest or go cold turkey. I am just saying that we need to learn how to leave work in the workplace.

Technology has given us the infamous Blackberry, laptops, wireless services, and cell phones so that there is no excuse not to be “in the loop”. My question is, how many of us are “in the loop” with our families and friends in this manner?

The big “W’ has taken precedence over our vacation plans, parties, illness, children, spouses; the list can go on and on. It is the one habit that is hard to break and sadly enough, a twelve step program has not been created for it.

To get some of that balance back, start creating your own twelve step program. Here are some suggestions:

• Set an end time for the work day and stick to it. Put a reminder in your Outlook calendar so that you get a pop up.
• Engage in new activities (book clubs, gym memberships, dance classes, etc) that have start times so you have a reason to leave the office on time.
• Plan a work week outing with friends that you have not seen in a while.
• Turn off the Blackberry and cell phones no later than 7:00 pm.
• Stop talking about work once you leave for the day,
• If you go out after work with friends from the workplace, make a pact that whoever brings up work will have to pay the bill.
• Volunteer with family and friends

While it is true that some work conversation can’t always be avoided, at all cost, do not let those conversations consume you. Take the opportunity to salvage relationships with family, friends, children and spouses, at the same time you will be adding a few years to your life.

Step back, look at where you are, and see if these words describe you. Though it is okay to be driven, don’t let work drive you.

Analyze, realize, and conceptualize your life with a new balance; a life where work is in the passenger seat and you are behind the wheel.

Remember, you only have one life to live and time waits for no one.


Mary Jane
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women