Ask any parent of young children and the one thing that many of them want more of is, time. More time with their kids. Time to sit and relax with their significant other. Even time to catch up on the guilty pleasure of must-see TV.
Figuring out the answer to what makes for good work/life balance is a quest that many of us, with kids or otherwise, often try to conquer. And, when you happen to find that perfect mix, it makes for a healthier life. It also makes for a happier, more productive you. A win-win for both you and your boss.
In today’s hyper-connected world, where we’re always expected to be “on” and responsive at all times, that balance can sometimes be difficult to achieve.
I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine. They were bemoaning the fact that they had to stay in the office late to finish up a report, and my first thought was, “you’re doing it wrong!” I say this with confidence because I work within an organization that is powered by wonderful technology; technology that is designed with one thing in mind – that by enabling people with smarter tools, we make things easier – and better, not only for individuals but for the organizations they work with and the people those organizations serve.
With today’s powerful voice-powered solutions, as just one example, work can basically get done anytime, anywhere. There’s no longer a need to sit behind a desk 8-hours a day completing work. Documents, reports, or any type of paperwork can be created, edited and shared on a device we all carry with us – our smartphones. And because of powerful cloud-sharing apps, information can be sent to colleagues – with real-time collaboration, at a moment’s notice.
I freely admit that access to all this intelligent technology doesn’t’ mean I never burn the midnight oil, but it certainly gives me back precious time, making for a happier, healthier me – and more importantly, a better life with my wife and kids.
