Workload management for work / life balance
April 18, 2008 by Megan · 5 Comments
Work / life balance has never been one of my strong points. My entire adult life I have struggled to keep the demands of work out of my family life. I have failed on many occasions and even have a divorce as a result of my workalohism.
In a recent Compassion Fatigue training facilitated by me at Imaginif, a participant revealed that she views work as her hobby and her personal life as her job. What a lovely and healthy reframe. I decided that I would attempt to do the same. I failed again!!!!
My absence in the blogosphere is not due to being bored with blogging (wash your mouth out for having even uttered such a statement!) or due to the high number of requests to tell who alleged sex predator blogger is. At Imaginif we have been over the top busy and I have had a social work student start her three month internship with us as well. Add to that my approaching status as grandmother, youngest child returning to live with us and…..a top secret personal life balanced surprise that Paul has sworn me to confidentiality on. His words: “I do not want to read about this on your blog, Megan.” He he, “no darling, of course not. I will just drop a wee hint instead.”
I am still here everyone. I am helping Jenni with her new SWAGS (Social Worker Accessing Group Support) blog so you can probably check in there for the rest of the week to check on what we are doing and talking about at Imaginif. I am also helping Birdwing Therapies to increase visibility of their corporate blog. Have you checked out their blog? Go on over and say hello to Keran (who is also over the top busy at the moment).
One of the preventors of burnout (aka vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and “I want to give up work”) is maintaining personal relationships and receiving positive feedback from colleagues. Social Workers and Psychologists often work in such a deficit mindset that it is personally satisfying to receive a warm greeting or kind word from a colleague or other person. Be sure to take the time to acknowledge and share a random act of kindness with someone you know works under stressful conditions. To Keran at Birdwing and Jenni at Imaginif – you women are fantastic, do a great job and help to keep my buoyant. Thanks for your friendship and professional support.
About Megan
A grandchild, a returned child AND a surprise! How exciting is that!
Hope work calms down soon
Hey Megan
What a week! We have both settled in 3rd Year Social Work students (Jenny and the wonderful Amanda) into their thirteen week placements and run our exciting and rewarding social work practices. Thankyou Megs for your belief in me, and supporting my creativity in my social work practice.
I know that my work life balance, LIKE YOURS leaves alot to be desired at the moment but the level of satisfaction I have working within collectives that support individual and community wellbeing is intoxicating. Sunday is a day of rest, tropical Port Douglas for a long lunch sounds good!
Take care..
Birdwing
XX
I am struggling with balance at the moment (probably given away by the time I left this comment!). I really like the way that you take the time out to acknowledge, support and encourage others publicly and it a great example for me to follow..
PQ…lol, just looked at your time stamp – yep, you were up late. Seems like you are like me and collapse time to get things done. Isn’t it difficult trying to do everything? I have learned NOT to do everything – my house is a mess, there’s little food in the fridge and I haven’t washed for a week. Never mind, it is now the weekend and I’ll get done what I can. I am leaving this comment at 5.30 am. Most mornings I’m up at 4.30am to get everything done. Never mind, it is my choice and soon, very soon, I will have something that will fill my heart and soul with happiness and give me a life outside of work.
Birdwing…thank you. You looked so good when I saw you yesterday that I covert your ability to balance the stress with the penchant for a lunch in Port Douglas. We are both lucky to be surrounded by so many supportive people – good people who believe in what they do and in the value of community. Yep, it is intoxicating and may my addictions only ever run to that.
Hey A, I often think of you and try to place myself in your shoes. With all that has happened, with all that you have do, you remain an amazingly inspirational blogger. You and your three need to be on Oprah telling the rest of us how to live life. You are wonderful Allison and I have received much pleasure from reading your posts.
Megan,
Your always a god send when i need you!
Your mesage made me cry, i am sooo struggling right now with life, work,- EVERYTHING!!!
i am not happy where i am or what i am doing, i figured this morning on my way to work that i need to make a plan for the future- to stick where i am with a goal in mind or to cut my loses & start again?! I have writen a paln for until aug 2010! which i will have to talk to hubby about but it is a little start, i dont feel happy anymore & i need to find that again.
I love your little insites & info here, thanks for your great web site!!
Carissa xo