Life vs. Work

How many times do you say to your co-workers, "Go home. You work too hard." And they sigh, and roll their eyes, agree wholeheartedly and sit down to the computer again.
This is all about managing expectations, and I encourage everyone to be part of the generation making it clear that they expect to be left alone when on vacation. They expect to have time to themselves. They expect not to have to justify leaving work at 5:00pm on Friday!

Managers, especially in the nonprofit sector, need to help. We are all committed to making our world a little better, so build on that shared goal and encourage your employees' after-work activities. Tell them you appreciate their contribution to our community not just when they're working for you, but when they're coaching a kids' hockey team, mowing the elderly neighbors' lawn, and stage managing the local theatre production. Be flexible and look for opportunities to model limit-setting behavior.

If you can, read this month's copy of Madison Magazine. Rebecca Ryan's article "Getting a Life" touches on the loyalty an organization can create by appreciating the whole person, not just the wage slave. (You can find her whole book on the subject at Next Generation Consulting's website.

You can actually limit your involvement in your work, no matter what kind of work you do. Try it!