Work Life Balance

What a tough article to write.

The only way I can do this is to reflect on my own life and my life experiences.

Anyone who knows me will know that I have an abundance of energy and I absolutely throw myself into whatever I believe in at that time. I have a very addictive personality and thus I stay well clear of drugs and gambling J

Some time ago I smoked and drank, of course in abundance. I soon realised that I did not want to do this anymore and stopped smoking as well as drinking. I also submerged myself into work and soon found a safe haven in this new found joy called job.

It must be said that I was married at this time and I was also the father of an awesome daughter. A good example was where the company I worked for sponsored a holiday for my entire family in Mauritius. In hind site I am sad to say that I ended up studying for a new course that I was presenting the following week. I even did some studying on the airport. How silly was that?

I worked 100 hours per week for several weeks at a time. My wife used to bring my daughter to work so we would sit at work have supper and they would go back home so I could do a little more work. I remember one night standing in the supermarket and an old school friend walked up and greeted me. I was so tired that I could not get one straight word out and I must have come across as totally intoxicated.

I told my family I was doing it for them. I bought my daughter a quad bike to show everyone how “wealthy” I was. Yet every time she wanted to go riding I was either working or too tired. She soon learned that to ask was useless.

I began riding my bike and this became and is currently my addiction. I learned to work smart and Cisco gave me the perfect opportunity with their collaboration strategy and my productivity increased and instead of throwing my extra time into work I decided to spend it with my family and riding.

Recently things changed at the office and we are now required to be at the office between 8 and 5. Now my day begins at 4:45 when I get up. I drive to work and do some spinning in the basement at work between 6 and 8. This is actually quite cool as I then start work. When I get back home 7nish at night I can then spend time with the family.

The one danger in this is that you can of course forget your socks at home and end up like me all dressed up with no socks in a customer meeting J

So I have spent 2 hours cycling 9 hours of work and the entire evening with the family. I need to train 14 hours this week at a minimum. Thus if I do 2 hours Tuesday to Friday I have 8 hours in the bag. I then do a long 6 hour session on Saturday morning and spend the entire Sunday with the family.

So it all then comes down to some planning, lots of discipline and commitment to your dreams. I make sure not to confuse my work with private time and visa versa. When I cycle I do it with passion. I stay true to my plan and I stick to my plan.

In hind site it does not look so impossible after all. I get up at 04:45 and go to bed at 22:00. I just do not use work as an excuse to skip family time or exercise. I used to start at 4:45 and go to bed at 22:00 doing work all day and not being much more productive than I am now.

When you do it, do it with conviction and do it right the first time. Be true to yourself and NEVER neglect your family.