Leave the Job at Work
People who excel in their jobs often have hobbies and other interests outside the work setting. Even if you adore your job, you will like it more when you develop other interests. Just think of the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” When you miss something you love, you will appreciate it more when you return to it. That sentiment holds true for work, coworkers, and friends.
Whether you had a great day or a tough one at work, it's important to leave the job at the office. It's okay to share work stories with spouses and friends. You might have an interesting story to tell about a bear you spotted in the wild while leading a nature walk. Maybe you were able to train a dog that was jumping up on everyone it greeted. It's great talking about the work you love, but it's important to give it a rest at times.
Following are a few tips on how to leave work at the office:
Turn off cell phones and don't answer the landline at night.
Make plans to meet friends after work.
Before you go home, spend an hour at the gym to unwind. When you enter your home, you will be focused on your family.
Hire a babysitter to watch the kids. This way you can go out for a nice meal or even do your grocery shopping in the evening. The store won't be as crowded, and you won't waste part of your weekend shopping.
Treat your commute home as your personal time. If you are in the car, turn to your favorite music station. Listen to a book on tape. If you take public transportation, read a book or favorite magazine.
If you need to rant, do it on the drive home in the privacy of your own car. This way, you won't take it home to your family. If you take public transportation, write down your frustrations. Let it go before you walk in the front door and greet your family.
Learn to manage your time. At the end of your work day, write a list of things that have to be done the next day. Prioritize from most important to the least significant. If a major project is presented to you the next morning, hold on to the list for the following day. Talk to your supervisor and ask him if this new project has to be done now or if it can be passed on to someone else. You can even show him the list of duties that you have to get done. By putting your projects in order, you can tackle them one by one — and it feels good to cross things off your list.
If you work out of a home office, be sure to turn off the computer at the end of the day. This way you won't be tempted to look at emails. If possible, close the office door, and don't go in until the next morning. Try to separate work from home.
