WORK FROM HOME DAY
Today is going pretty good, Tommy is cooperating and taking nap. I have completed updating a file and have my last transfer done! Whew! I have started on a second service plan as well. So things are going pretty well. Tommy is still napping so after this it is back to typing away a service plan.
It is windy as all get out here in MN. My sons’ basketball hoop just blew over into the road so I had to run out and try to lift that. Fun! The city must be doing something with our water as I turned on the tap to make a bottle and it is running yellow. ICK!! Tommy won’t be drinking that for a while. My BIL ran over a couple of bottles of water for me, so we will be using that for a while.
I have to run over the AUgsburg College today and pick up my thesis. PLEASE, PLEASE say she isn’t asking for a lot of revisions. I just NEED to be done with that thing!
The other day I had a training at work and I walked away with one thing that really stuck with me, each day before we get to work we choose our attitude. That is so true. I can tell the days I choose to be crabby VS. the days I choose to be happy.
ANother thing struck me the other day at a staff meeting my co-workers are so stressed and at the end of their ropes. Our job is very stressful and we have to give a lot emotionally. But for ONCE in my life I am not at that same place. I was wondering why that was?? I don’t work any harder than the rest, or any less at that matter. Why am I less stressed lately??
I have made a real distinction in my life. I have work and I have family. My priority for years has been work, I have shifted that to family. And it feels so good. Do I work less hours? Probably about the same. But when I am at work, I am AT WORK! I call home only about once to check on Tommy during my break otherwise I really try to focus on my work. The big change is this, at home I only focus on home! No longer am I trying to get extra work done in the evenings. I work my hours for the week and that is it. I feel better and am able to get more done at work as a result since my life is balanced. Oh yeah of course I get out of balance occasionally (at least once a week) but I know what needs to be done.
Of course my balance is challenged on Wednesdays when I work at home. Luckily that is only for another month then I will be at the office on Wednesday again. I will be at the office all summer, and when I am home, I will truly be at home. I have been sleeping better since I have made this mental distinction. I no longer make lists in my head about what I need to do at work, or at least I don’t do it every night. I did have to lower my expectations, perfection is no longer my goal.
I need that balance. I missed so much of Josh’s life by being at work or not willing to take time off of work. He would have something at school and I wouldn’t feel like I could take time off of work. Tommy is my last baby and I will not miss out this time. I go in late to work on Friday’s and go to ECFE with him and just work later. That is balance……..and it feels good. I go to Dr appointments with him and will be at school functions when the time comes.
Tomorrow is Take you kid to work day, so since I have been at my current job, I take Josh with me to work. He enjoys it. We go out to lunch together and they find clerical jobs for him to do, etc. I am so thankful that I work for such a family Friendly place.
I only have this short period of time with my children and my job will most likely be with me forever or at least until I retire. My babies will grow up. My job must come second. That is my new thought and it is keeping me sane. I can work late and stuff, I just don’t want to miss a special moment in my children’s lives again. I can’t get the ones back I have missed adn that makes me sad.
If in my life I could have anything it would be to be a stay at home mom. But that isn’t goingto happen so I do that best I can to maintain a healthy balance. Some have not been that keen on my new boundaries since I have always been available whenever I aneeded for my job. Now there are two days a week that I have to be home by 5:00 due to family commitments and Wednesdays for the last few weeks has been a time I have to not have meetings. I work from home. The other three nights of the week I will work as late as needed. I have some night appointments where I don’t get home until 9:00. Which is fine as long and it is balanced. Some have complained, but I need to do this to continue working and being happy. I have given far too much to others than I did my own family. I think my family deserves more………………………………………..
No learning is so good as to which teacheth and moveth to virtue – Sir Philip Sidney
Sounds like you need to read that book my neighbor gave me.
What Every Mom Needs – Elisa Morgan & Carol Kuykendall
…the magic key – balance!
MuSe
Good for you being so focused. I always struggled with that.
Someone told me once that, “Nobody ever lay on their deathbed and wished they had spent more time at work.”