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For previous generations of engineers, balancing work
and home lives was relatively simple. In the postwar
years up to the early 1970s, a single breadwinner-working
forty hours a week, often for the same employer, until
retirement-generally earned enough to support children
and a spouse.
The traditional family-one breadwinner and one homemaker-has
been replaced by the "juggler family," and American
parents have on average twenty-two fewer hours a week
to spend with their kids than they did in 1969. Today's
engineering workforce reflects a changing society: there
are single mothers, single fathers, and two-career couples
for whom every sick child or business trip is a time-juggling
nightmare. Many engineers, male and female, express
frustration over the difficult balancing act they must
perform in order to be good employees as well as good
parents and spouses, but most say it is possible if
you pay attention and don't allow yourself to get too
caught up in either responsibility. Here are some tips
for achieving that balance.
Organize
and plan. Engineers have an advantage in this area,
being a part of such an organized discipline. Organize
your errands so that you can do two or three at once.
Catch up on reading if you commute by public transportation.
Don't be afraid to make lists and organize your home life
as you would an important project. After all - it is!
Prioritize your time. Do what is most important
first. Delegate anything you can. Learn to say no when
you need to. While it's difficult to say no to demands
of colleagues, family and friends, if you are calm and
reasonable, most will understand and appreciate your honesty.
Make time for the things you enjoy. Nothing will
cause you to burn out faster than leaving no time for
yourself. If necessary, make an appointment with yourself,
write it down on your calendar and stick to it.
Sleep enough - eat right and exercise. If you take
good care of yourself, you can get through the toughest
situations. If you don't take care of yourself, you can
add to your stress by getting sick.
Make sure to have a good laugh several times a day.
Laughter is the best medicine. And remember -- what seems
very serious today may seem funny tomorrow.
Spend time with friends and family whose company you
enjoy. Schedule time to have dinner, see a movie,
or attend a ball game to show them how much you care and
that they are an important part of your life. Their support
will help you to weather many of the storms you may endure
throughout your life.
Take small breaks during the work day. Just getting
up from your desk and walking around the office can break
the tension in your body and renew your energy. Reduce
the number of extra hours you spend in the workplace,
if you can. There will always be projects that require
extra effort and extra hours, but falling into the habit
of consistently working excessive hours may actually hinder
your progress up the corporate ladder if you become burned
out, stressed and resentful.
Get away from it all in your leisure time. Hobbies
offer a wonderful outlet for stress relief. Watch the
game, putter in your garden, go for a drive in the country,
participate in a sport, go to the movies, take a nap,
read a book, travel, or volunteer. Enjoy vacations without
bringing work with you. The work will be there when you
return.
Strive to maintain a balanced life. It will make you happier
and more productive in the long run.
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have to satisfy your boss. But you also have to
satisfy your other boss. Which is your spouse. And
your kids. I mean, my son, you know, gets upset
when I go on trips. I'm going off to Denmark, later
this month, and I'll be gone for six or seven days.
And, every once in awhile, I'm gone, and he has
a concert at school, and you know, you try to work
around the family issues, as well as the professional
issues, as best you can. And it takes a lot of understanding
between husband and wife, to do that. - Martin
Alexander, Vice President, Engineering Services,
Lewis S. Goodfriend & Associates |
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