A
true balance between work and life comes with knowing that your life activities
are integrated – not separated. -- Michael Thomas Sunnarborg (21 Keys to Work Life Balance)
While workers in all industries strive for work-life
balance, few are more challenged to achieve that goal than those in the
hospitality industry. In fact, often
times the very idea is so daunting that we throw up our hands in defeat before
we ever really get started.
Let’s break it down a bit – define a few stressers – and offer specific suggestions.
Let’s break it down a bit – define a few stressers – and offer specific suggestions.
Stresser: I don’t believe anyone can do it but me. Sometimes, that’s just
flat out true. But not always. Not even most of the time. Just realizing that to be the truth puts you
half way there in terms of a more balanced mind-set when it comes to your
responsibilities. The more balanced your view -- the more
balanced your actions.
Stresser: No one can do it but me. Really. There are going to be times when no one but you can make a decision, place a call, calm the waters. Create a very short list of those “times” and post it – yep!, literally post it! – in your office or at your station so that those in charge when you’re not available will understand under which circumstances you would expect their call. Allow yourself three initial revisions, promising to delete at least one entry each time.
Stresser: I’m never really away. Probably true. Yet, there are ways to mitigate the interruptions. Allow calls to go to voicemail. Even if you are watching that dreaded number flash on your Caller ID, letting the initial call go (very) temporarily unanswered helps in two ways: First, you will feel more in control of the situation when you retrieve the message. You are now acting rather than reacting and just that attitude resets how you will process the interruption and the reason behind it. Secondly, you are training yourself, believe it or not, to respect your personal time. If only for a brief moment! When others see that you are serious about your away-time, they'll take it seriously, too.
Stresser: I only get one day off a week. Think we’re going to say, “Force yourself to take two!”? Nope! We’re going to encourage you to really take that day. If you are able to choose, make it a day of the week when your son normally has his basketball game or your daughter has dance class. Being truly present in your personal life – both feet in! – will allow you to feel that you’ve really had a day off.
Stresser: There's no one I can count on. This may or may not be true ... but we think you'll be surprised when you ask. Sit down with each member of your staff -- a one-on-one -- and you may well uncover some pretty marvelous skills that may have not been apparent or put to use in their current position. You may find that your dishwasher is there because she's new to town and may have just completed an internship in the community affairs office. You may find that your hostess spent many years as an executive assistant and now simply likes the meet-and-greet experience.
Stresser: No one can do it but me. Really. There are going to be times when no one but you can make a decision, place a call, calm the waters. Create a very short list of those “times” and post it – yep!, literally post it! – in your office or at your station so that those in charge when you’re not available will understand under which circumstances you would expect their call. Allow yourself three initial revisions, promising to delete at least one entry each time.
Stresser: I’m never really away. Probably true. Yet, there are ways to mitigate the interruptions. Allow calls to go to voicemail. Even if you are watching that dreaded number flash on your Caller ID, letting the initial call go (very) temporarily unanswered helps in two ways: First, you will feel more in control of the situation when you retrieve the message. You are now acting rather than reacting and just that attitude resets how you will process the interruption and the reason behind it. Secondly, you are training yourself, believe it or not, to respect your personal time. If only for a brief moment! When others see that you are serious about your away-time, they'll take it seriously, too.
Stresser: I only get one day off a week. Think we’re going to say, “Force yourself to take two!”? Nope! We’re going to encourage you to really take that day. If you are able to choose, make it a day of the week when your son normally has his basketball game or your daughter has dance class. Being truly present in your personal life – both feet in! – will allow you to feel that you’ve really had a day off.
Stresser: There's no one I can count on. This may or may not be true ... but we think you'll be surprised when you ask. Sit down with each member of your staff -- a one-on-one -- and you may well uncover some pretty marvelous skills that may have not been apparent or put to use in their current position. You may find that your dishwasher is there because she's new to town and may have just completed an internship in the community affairs office. You may find that your hostess spent many years as an executive assistant and now simply likes the meet-and-greet experience.
Whether you embrace these suggestions or simply
allow them to be food for thought, the Superior Menu's Team wishes you a
successful season -- and time to enjoy the upcoming holiday splendor!
