Work and Family: Making the Transition from Work to Home

No matter where you work, the rhythm of your day is considerably different and probably more intense as you transition to coming home….
Arriving home, still in the mindset of work and unable to let go of your day’s events, can lead to stressful collisions between work and family.

To change counterproductive habits ask the following questions…

1. Where can I start to change things that negatively impact my work/family balance
2. What habits can I change?
3. How can I leave work problems at work?
4. How can I smoothly transition?
5. What do I need to do to clearly draw the line between work and family?

Transition tips… before you leave work

• Devote the final minutes of your workday to your easier and less pressured tasks.
• Empty your mind of unfinished business by putting pen to paper… write your to-do list.
• Be realistic about work that you take home.  Make sure it’s the best use of your time.  Make sure you can realistically accomplish the work before you take it home.  Delegate or postpone where possible.

Cooling off at home…

• Prearrange with family members to allow a rejuvenation time for yourself upon arriving home.  For me, it’s taking a hot tub with my little boys… or having some guacamole and chips and talking with my wife about my day or hers…
• Be careful about talking about your day. Arriving home and immediately unloading about the day’s events can easily trigger fatigue-driven arguments.
• Enjoy a small premium snack to restore energy… fresh guacamole, holy cannoli!!
• If you discuss your workday, agree upon a prearranged time to sit down. Decide with your partner how much time he wants to devote to discussing work issues, versus other issues such as family, children, were other shared interests.

Be deliberate, intentional, and focused in making your transition from work to home smooth each night… I like to pray, sing, meditate and just get quiet before coming home…. beware of using the cell phone as it’s distracting and does not help the transition home.

Once you master this practice, it really makes coming home fun.  I jokingly talk with my wife about having some cave time… to just chill.  It really helps my marriage and my headspace. What do you need to make the transition from work to home a smooth one?

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