What are some of your work-life balance tips?

2019-01-21T00:47:56-05:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2019 2:07 AM

2019-01-21T02:07:48-05:00

Never rob time from your family to pay the Army. There will always be work left undone, learn to deal with it by becoming more efficient, not by staying late and working weekends. That's what I always tell my new Career Counselors.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 21 at 2019 6:50 AM

2019-01-21T06:50:53-05:00

Plan for and use leave. Regular duty may be long hours, but maximize time off entitlement

Response by SGT Matthew Sesar made Jan 21 at 2019 9:19 AM

2019-01-21T09:19:45-05:00

Never could balance it while I was in. I made sure to plan exciting vacations when I could and will never forget the times I had. That’s my best advice sir. Good luck

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2019 1:24 PM

2019-01-21T13:24:03-05:00

Sir, leave work at work if you are in a position that calls for it. I understand some jobs within our organization require a leash and a different operational tempo but for the most part, the work you do will never end and there will always be something else to do the following day. Of course you have the occasional job-based emergency but that is the exception and a leadership responsibility.

Moreover, plan vacation time a quarter in advance and do not deviate. Unless you're a couple of years out from retirement, I suggest you utilize your annual leave in a manner that gives you downtime for leisure, family time, and travel. Do not be one of those who live by their work because you will eventually look back and wish you did certain things in your youth that you will not be able to do as an older person.

Remember that life is limited and you never know when your time is up. One of our greatest Presidents said the following aphorism and I live by it: "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 21 at 2019 1:26 PM

2019-01-21T13:26:52-05:00

Every time people see this question, they immediately jump to spending time with family. Which is important, don't get me wrong. BUT, equally important, but almost never mentioned in the worm-like balance equation is "me time." Have one night a week where you can have time AWAY from the family - poker night with the guys, drinks and dancing with the girls, game night at the hobby shop, bowling league, whatever. (And if you have kids, obviously reciprocate so the spouse gets their one night a week, too. If you don't have kids, you can both have the same night.)
Thus is especially hard with the military, as who knows how many nights will be robbed, but it is one of the single greatest things you can do for long-term happiness, AND for maintaining a healthy marriage and avoiding resentment/bitterness over how many things you can't do anymore because of "the old ball and chain."

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Jan 21 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-01-21T13:28:20-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member The work will always be there, and it never stops. The work was there before you and it will be there after you. This is not meant to say be lazy, it means, go home at a reasonable time. You can stay at work for 3 days straight and there will always be more work.

I've had so many leaders try to push until everything was done, surprise that never happens. Go home, be with your family, let your troops be with their families (or let them do what they do in the barracks). A refreshed, happy force is a motivated one and will accomplish more in an 0730 - 1700 than a shop who works 0600 - 1830 everyday.

Also, when you're having a bad day, it's your choice to let it affect you, if you get yelled at or have to yell at someone, at the end of the day, you're the one going home with that baggage. Learn to handle a situation and then let it go and move on.

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Jan 21 at 2019 2:57 PM

2019-01-21T14:57:43-05:00

Here is what I tell my young mentees (not sure if that is a word, but I'm the mentor): Has any dying person said that they wished they had done more work? Has any person in hospice or who is told they have x number of months left to live, decided to work more hours because they have to get the job done? If so, I never met them nor have read about them.
There's work time, family time and me time. Divide it appropriately. And remember that forgetting me time makes work and family time much more difficult. You can't take care of either work or family if you haven't taken care of yourself first.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 21 at 2019 3:55 PM

2019-01-21T15:55:07-05:00

When at home, focus on the family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2019 3:57 PM

2019-01-21T15:57:48-05:00

Something I’ve noticed:

When told to go home... we hang around like kids trying to figure how adults have fun once we go to bed.

There’s nothing to see- leave! Read a book, fish, play PS4, sleep, go to the movies, hang out with friends, family, by yourself, sleep... just get away from the command post once you are cut loose. The rest will figure itself out.

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made Jan 21 at 2019 4:43 PM

2019-01-21T16:43:35-05:00

Never take work home with you, especially emotionally. Have a hobby..fishing, Golf is a great one. Physical fitness will balance you out. It relieves stress, and leaves you healthier. Find religion, spiritual fitness is important. Minimize the booze..work will always be there...time management is key. I like to take quarterly leave if possible...not the 30 day stretch once a year. It breaks up the monotony and allows me time and time for family.