In the hectic and unpredictable world of agency public relations, striking a balance between work and family sometimes can feel like walking across a tightrope. But it
is possible to make that balancing act work. In fact, working parents all over the country are doing it well everyday. In part, this is because today's more flexible
workplaces are making it easier.
As working mothers, we would like to share a little advice based on what we've learned (some of it through trial and error), and talk about how a workplace can help us - and
others like us - achieve this balance.
Life balance does not happen by accident. It takes planning, creativity, and setting priorities. Flexibility also is essential. If you can manage your schedule and your
surroundings proactively, but stay flexible enough to adjust when necessary, you can have a family life, a challenging and exciting job without sacrificing yourself.
Achieving Balance
Many people might think that the great secret to life balance is to compartmentalize -- to keep home and family life separate from work. But that can be a mistake. You don't
live two lives -- you live one. While time away from work is essential, being flexible with your work and home time may help you develop new, creative ways to have a diversified
life.
The PR industry is well suited to be a new, flexible workplace. In PR, the office and the outside world are not distinctly separated. Because we are in the business of making
creative connections, the learning process that informs our work never stops. Walking down the street, watching television or simply talking to friends makes us better at what we
do. The world is our office, so no time is ever really wasted, and great ideas can come from anywhere.
In addition, the PR industry allows, and even encourages, flexibility. As PR practitioners, we don't punch a time clock. We often are empowered to set our own schedules
around the work we need to accomplish - we're results-driven and accountable for those results. For many of us, it doesn't matter where or how a project is completed, but only
that it gets done. While some of this freedom must be earned, at Edelman we are flexible. As people build their careers here, we can help develop a customized work/life schedule.
In fact, several people in the New York Health practice have flexible or alternative schedules. Others bring children with them to the office occasionally. We also are exploring
other ways to make life balance easier for everyone by taking advantage of emerging technology.
Even within a traditional work schedule, you can assume more control of your work and home life through organization and creative time management. Finding your own way is part
of the work that goes into balancing family and career.
Making Tough Choices
Making conscious decisions about how you spend your days can help you make the most of your time. Below are some tips that may help make a life that includes work and family
run more smoothly:
- Know when the most important moments are - at work, at home, for yourself - and make an unwavering commitment to them.
- Triage your work to determine not only what is a priority, but also the amount of time required to complete what you must.
- Be willing to say "no" when a work or social event is not essential for you to attend.
- Select times when you are simply "not open for business" and can disconnect.
- Don't feel guilty about spending time on yourself - it will re-energize you.
- Use technology, including telecommuting, cell phones, e-mail, and the Internet, to give yourself more freedom to get work done outside the office.
- Give your colleagues and employees some of the flexibility you enjoy.
- Empower your teams to address issues that do not need your personal attention - don't fall prey to the "I'll just do it myself" mentality.
- Address issues that need to be changed - staffing situations that aren't working generally won't correct themselves.
- Seek out life balance mentors and be one yourself to junior staff.