Freeing Up Your Work Week
This article explains how to begin leaving work on time while
remaining just as productive as when you stay late.
To avoid chasing the clock forever, an individual must leave
work on time by making a dynamic bargain with himself. When you've
made the conscious decision to leave on time on Tuesday, and
have struck the dynamic bargain with yourself, the small stuff
magically drops off. You focus on bigger, more crucial tasks
or responsibilities. On the first Tuesday, and certainly by the
second or third, you begin to benefit from a system of self-reinforcement,
because the rewards you enjoy (leaving the office on time, actually
having an evening free of work-related thoughts) are so enticing
that you structure your work day to achieve this reward.
When you add Thursdays, then Mondays, and then Wednesdays to
the process, you begin to reclaim your entire work week. A marvelous
cycle is initiated. You actually:
* leave the work place with zest,
* have energy to pursue your non-work life,
* sleep better,
* arrive at work more rested, and
* are far more productive.
Leaving On Time Whenever You Want
How does it all start? Declare that the following Tuesday will
be an eight or nine hour workday--nothing more. Leave on time
that day feeling good about what you've accomplished. That's
it--no grandiose plan, no long-term commitment, no radical change,
and hardly any pain.
Recall how long you've been in your profession, and that you
will be for a lengthy run. On no particular day, and at no particular
hour, are you rooted to your desk. You're a professional. You've
gotten the job done previously, and you'll get it done now. Feel
free to go!
During the day you've decided you're going to leave on time,
if it becomes obvious that you have more to do than you can get
done that day (and when won't that happen?), etch out exactly
what you're going to begin the next morning. This will reduce
and ultimately eliminate any anxiety or guilt. After all, you
have a life, don't you?
Let everyone in your office know that you're leaving at five.
Announce to people, "I've got to be out of here at five
today." No one will resent you for leaving on time. People
tend to support one another's goal when that goal has been announced.
In summary, here's what you can do on that first Tuesday, or
any other day, to leave on time you when choose to:
1. Announce to everyone that you have a personal commitment
at 5:30 that evening. If you have a child, you could say that
your child is in need of important parental assistance. Schedule
something for 5:30.
2. Mark on your calendar that you'll be leaving at five.
3. Get a good night's rest the night before.
4. Eat a light lunch.5. Strike a dynamic bargain with yourself
at the start of the day, in late morning, in early afternoon,
and in late afternoon.
6. Regard any intrusion or upset as merely part of the workday.
7. After striking the dynamic bargain with yourself, don't be
tempted to add on more items at the last minute.
8. Envision how you'll feel when you leave right at closing
time (this is no reason for you to be staring at the clock for
the last 45 minutes).
9. Late in the afternoon, ask a co-worker to walk you out at
closing time.
While it may seem like there's too much involved to ensure that
you leave the work place on time, if you only engage in two or
three of the steps above, you'll still find the reinforcement
you need. This is intentionally simple: the more you have to
do and remember, the less you'll do and the less you'll remember.
Your only assignment: to leave work on time.
Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC, is a popular conference speaker
and author of 28 books, including Breathing Space (Feb 2000).
For books, videos, cassettes, or presentations, visit http://www.BreathingSpace.com,
FAX (919) 932-9982, or call (919) 932-1996.
