I got an email from a friend earlier this week. I'll not go into the details of the message, but this friend basically asked me "Chuck, why do you, as a professional banker, leader and respected member of the community, write about video games on your blog? Are you not worried that this will make people judge you (very Not-Safe-For-Work link due to language and pics, but the author makes some outstanding arguments), and even possibly diminish your social standing as you climb your career ladder?"
My answer to him was that I am not worried about that. My reasoning was twofold: First, my performance at work speaks for itself. Second, a hobby outside of work helps me maintain my work-life balance.On top of that, many of the young start-up business owners that are bringing new jobs to the area grew up as gamers just like I did. My knowledge of business, manufacturing, sports, current events and yes, even video games, has helped me build a relationship with many customers. If part of your job involves selling, you know relationship building is very important. Any common round that you have to build on can be helpful.
In today's blog I am not going to go into the social stigma of gaming, although that might make an interesting topic on another day. I am going to talk about gaming as an aide to work-life balance. Here are 5 things that help me balance my work and leisure time, and how gaming can be involved.
1 - Do something for yourself one night each week. This should be something you will enjoy, not something you think will be good for you. This is not something that your partner wants, or that the kids will benefit from. This is for you. Play a game, read a novel, watch a movie. Go to a museum, mow the yard, attend a sporting event. Put an away message on your email and screen your calls. It does not need to be for a long time. It is amazing what an hour to yourself can do to recharge your batteries and make you more productive. I do not play video games each week, but often my one night is spent with a good game.
2 - Keep a weekend free once a quarter. I do not mean that you sit around the house and do nothing. I do mean that you should spend this time with your significant other and your kids, or just by yourself. Get out and be spontaneous. No to-do lists or agendas, just enjoy some free time. Again, your productivity will soar when you are happy, having just spent a weekend enjoying yourself. This will also help you avoid burnout. Again, I do not use this weekend each quarter as an excuse to develop a gaming addiction, but once in a while I will spend some time playing a game with my son. He loves it, and so do I.
3 - Learn to say no. I understand the guilt we all feel when asked to run the PTA or serve on the homeowners association committee. Lear to do these things when you feel driven to serve, not guilty for refusing. Spend the time you would have used in these capacities doing something you enjoy. Exert that extra energy by heading a task-force or project at work rather than toiling away with something you do not wish to do. I have often let extra activities cut into the time I have set aside for myself and for my family. Again, if you want to avoid burnout, you must protect this time.
4 - Learn to solve work-problems while outside of the workplace. Ponder your latest sales strategy while you sit on the subway. Develop new flowcharts for that program you have been working on while you walk with your family. Discuss some of your work-related ideas with your partner. They may not know a lot about what you do, but that might be just the fresh point of view that you can learn from. My personal thinking time, and more often than I'd like to admit, the solution to one of my problems has come to me while I was in the middle of a video game.
5 - Find your own balance. There is no 5 step guide to perfect work-life balance. Just like too much work can cause burnout, to much leisure can cause complacency. Protect your free time and enjoy it, but work hard each day. Your mid and body will tell you when you need a video game, and they will also tell you when it is time to get back to work. Listen to your body, and work hard at work and at play. If you feel like you are out of balance, then you are. Find your own balance.
In closing, I game because I enjoy it. Gaming (actually any leisure activity, but I often choose gaming) helps me be more effective at my job. Work life balance is one of the most important skills we can develop. Give it the attention it deserves.
No comments:
Post a Comment