Tuesday 12 August 2014

Personal and organizational benefits of work life balance for CEOs
By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

It is true that work and family are two separate areas of life; however, they are both fractions of what makes up wholesome living. It is therefore important that a balance be struck or else regrets may abound.

Being a CEO does not erase the roles of being a father, a husband, a mother or a wife. So allocating time to each of these aspects of life is crucial to being successful. Clearly articulating how and where your time is spent, will go a long way in putting order in situations that can become overwhelming if not checked.

An excellent way a CEO can organize time is to take each aspect of life and think through what makes for success in these areas. It is important to be realistic in doing this. The different aspects of life should not be overloaded in any way with unethical expectations. It is better to do a little well, than doing much, inappropriately. Improper use of time can lead to burn outs.

As a CEO and a parent, what things are you currently involved in that makes you feel you are a success at parenting? Can these things be improved upon? Perhaps you would also discover that you are far from your expectation of how a good parent should be. Though it may be difficult to admit, but if you desire a happy and stable family life, you do have to come to terms with your inadequacies. So what do you think you can do to start on your way to being a good CEO parent? A sure way of finding out were your flaws lie, is to have a heart to heart talk with your family. They are the ones that really feel the pinch of the problem. It is often said that work should be left at the door step and not brought into the home, but a lots of CEO,s are guilty of doing the exact opposite. They use up family time attending to official matters as if the home is an extension of the office. Obviously phone(s) are a necessary appendage, but can constitute a nuisance in your home. It is obligatory that a check be put on this and all other intrusions alike, for the sake of your family life.

Balancing work and life also means being able to delegate appropriately, this gives you the advantage of developing capable hands in the work place, knowing the capabilities of those you work with and also free you up to be the chief executive that you truly are. Though for an entrepreneur or CEO of a start-up, it is tempting to take on a lot more than what you can normally handle. This is where moderation comes in. Prioritize your time and learn to step back to re-evaluate what is working and what isn’t, this will put a check on wastage of time and resources.

On the other hand, having risen to your present position through hard work, it will be foolhardy to now spend all your time attending to family affairs. Dare it be said that the home takes priority attention; nevertheless to neglect your official duties unduly is a sure way to a crash in your carrier.

Balancing work and family life also means you spend time in quietness; this on its own is a perfect drug for rejuvenation. You have to learn to take time out to be by yourself and think things through, so you can put your life in proper perspective. Take time out, kick off your shoes and put your feet up. Each time you engage in this practice you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.

By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

No comments:

Post a Comment