Special offer

Live to Work or Work to Live?

By
Education & Training with Corcoran Consulting & Coaching

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend.  Blogging and work was put aside a bit for family.  As it happens, this a perfect tie in to my blog topic today.

As important as work is on so many levels, it has to be in balance with the rest of your life.  Do you live to work or work to live?

Does your job or business demand that you be accessible 24/7?  In an era of ubiquitous cell phones, pagers, Blackberrys and WiFi internet access, it is easy to keep in touch with the office from anywhere.  No doubt, many of you find that this is a mixed blessing at best.

While technology gives increased mobility and connectivity, it can also erode the boundary between your professional and personal life. That's why it is increasingly more important to set reasonable boundaries and stick to them. For most of us there is a constant pressure to work longer, implement more marketing, or get that report in early. It is not easy to draw a line and say things like "I am leaving on time, and the world will not end if I don't finish "x" by 5:00pm."

Though we all value hard work and realize putting in long hours sometimes comes with the territory, if you are unable to set reasonable limits on your job's time demands, you're risking a lot. When your health and/or family life begins to suffer, it is not only going to diminish your quality of life, it will also reduce your productivity on the job.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled "Setting Work and Life Boundaries" for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will learn from my mistakes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

To begin receiving our Tip Of The Week please go to Awesome Tips!

To learn what Coaching can do for you, click here: The Power of Coaching!

Quality Tested by CRS, click here for the CRS Store

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Bob, I believe work life balance is a challenge we all face, in any industry. Technology does tend to create a demand for 24x7 response time. Many of us know what to do, what we need to do, and just don't break the endless cycle of too much work, over eating, lack of exercise, etc. It takes burning desire and absolute commitment to effect change.  Great post - thank you!

Jul 06, 2009 03:09 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Thanks, Kathleen. You are right - setting boundaries & achieving balance is a challenge - but worth it.

Jul 06, 2009 03:23 AM
Edward & Celia Maddox
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

Balancing is particularily hard in the real estate business.  We are either too busy or not enough,  We need to know how to prioritize lifes events.  What really important.

Your Queen Creek AZ Real Estate Specialist

Jul 06, 2009 03:28 AM
Eilean Foster
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore - Egg Harbor City, NJ
Real Estate Agent

Back in the 90's it was "Working Smarter, not Harder" different words, but same concept!

Back then, I was an analyst for a world-wide company and I was always wanting to tweak the numbers a little bit more; make our branch office stand out a little better, receive better feedback on customer service...My boss referred to me as an "Analytical - Type Personality"!  But I received a lot of satisfaction from the work I did, and yes that fed my ego!

And *Now* that I am older and wiser...

I realize that I am a morning person, I focus and complete tasks at a higher level of accomplishment before 2pm and so I may have to reach for energy after that time in order to show a property, but I have used the scripts for such times so frequently they automatically come out of my mouth!

Now that I have this new career-mindset, I reserve time to work and time to live and if the two happen to blend together...*giggle* I'll take that too!

 

Jul 06, 2009 03:36 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I would have appreciated this post more if it had not been trying to sell me something.

Jul 06, 2009 03:49 AM
Dennis Chanski
Hebron, CT

The balance also includes eliminating the estimated 80% of the non-value add tasks that we do everyday that occupies our time.  By elimininating non-value add tasks from our days it gives us the ability focus on the tasks that will get us to our end result quicker, and the end result is that we begin to recapture time that otherwise would be lost. 

Jul 06, 2009 04:41 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Hi Edward and Celia,

Balancing can be tricky in Real Estate, however it is possible!  My clients utilize an Ideal Weekly Schedule to help them create a balance.  If you have set times where you will meet with clients, prospect, and work on your business, you will have a much easier time with it.  Plan your work and work your plan!  if you would like a copy of the Ideal Weekly Schedule, just e-mail me at Info@CorcoranCoaching.com and I will be sure you have one sent to you.

Bob

Jul 06, 2009 04:47 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Dennis,

Thank you for your comment!  I agree completely!

Bob

 

Jul 06, 2009 04:48 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Hi Lisa,

Like all of my blog postings, I share information that I share with my clients.  There is no pressure to sign up for anything!  Out of curiosity, what part of the post looked as if I was selling so that I can refrain in the future? Bob

Jul 06, 2009 04:51 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

A very timely reminder!    In this digital age, time has been erased, along with geography.   Time is always, and so it's never "off".    We do have to set boundaries, or we will become our "machines".    We're the human component.   Difficult, though, in these early days of the "real 21st Century", to remember we might be able to control "non-time", through technology.  

Jul 06, 2009 05:06 AM
Chanda Barrick
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral

Seems there are many people pondering this concept lately.  I agree that you should not let work take over your entire being...

Chanda panda

Jul 06, 2009 05:07 AM
Eilean Foster
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore - Egg Harbor City, NJ
Real Estate Agent

Lise, I know that sometimes it is difficult to see a *positive* in life; but you have to just pluck them out and hold on tight!  Let those be your inspiration and just toss out anything *anyone* negative!

Keep A Bright Spirit!

Jul 06, 2009 08:32 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Sea to Sky & Chandra, thanks for your comments. Even when time pressures seems overwhelming, we have to remember that we are in control of our time, our thoughts, our attitudes.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, clients are respectful when we set constraints on our availability - I'm not available after 7:30 this evening, but how would Saturday morign work for you?"

Bob

Jul 06, 2009 08:37 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

I am currently working hard to restore balance to my life. 

Jul 07, 2009 03:35 PM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Now featured on the Optimist Group.  Good job! 

Jul 07, 2009 03:35 PM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Mirela, thanks for your comment and the featured post.  We all need to strive for balance - it doesn't come naturally, it seems.

Jul 14, 2009 10:37 AM