This strategy and blog title is a bit misleading. “Having Focus and a ‘Leave Work at Work’ Routine” is actually a strategy for focusing on your “Self” and “Relationships” ring. All too often we carry over our work into the time when we should be focused somewhere or with someone else. The idea is to take care of work during work time and do those things that will enable you to leave work behind so that you can focus elsewhere.
Consider the following:
Setup rules at work with your boss, co-workers, and direct reports. Let them know that you are not going to check email after you leave the office (evenings and weekends). If there is something urgent that needs your attention, let them know that they need to text or call you. Turn off the email “dings” so you are not tempted to check email or let you mind change your focus back to work. Stick to your rule. It may take some time but people will respect your rule and only contact you if it is urgent and important. Remember that your emails don’t go away and will be there waiting for you in the morning.
If you have work that has to be done before the end of the day, stay at work and get it done. You will be more efficient and focused. When you are home, be home. Focus on family or on your personal life. Make a distinct division. A lot of time kids and sometimes spouses don’t get it when you bring work home. You are home and they want to be with you and have your attention. When you are home, be home. There is nothing worse than being present physically but not being present mentally.
At the end of your work day close out your day. This means blocking out 15-30 minutes before you need to leave. Schedule an actual appointment on your calendar with yourself to do the following:
Finish any urgent emails or mark them to handle tomorrow
Forward you incomplete daily tasks to another day
Spend a few minutes thinking about the day and make actual notes or tasks of things that you need to address tomorrow or later in the week
By doing so, you will be able to forget about work because you have a plan for the next day and have everything “ticked and tied.”
On the way home. Start making the transition from business to personal (self and relationships). Return the personal calls that you didn’t take at the office. Listen to music, read/listen to a book, or something that helps you to relax. Enjoy the silence of your commute and clear your head with some deep breathing and stress relief techniques.
Have a plan for what you are going to do when you get home. What are you going to focus on? Plan something that you look forward to doing.
When you arrive home, sit in your car for a minute and make the mental shift from work to being present with your self or significant others. Some people will use a physical symbol as their mental shift. Hanging up their work lanyard to signify the mental shift or turning the key in the door as a mental cue that you are no longer at work and are now focused on your self or relationships.
When you walk in, be prepared to be present. Engage in life (not work activities) that you have planned.
By following these strategies and routines, you will be intentional in getting work done while at work and being free mentally and physically to work on your self and relationship rings.