Returning to work after six weeks leave is tough at the best of times. It is even tougher when you factor in leaving your baby daughter and wife at home. The last six weeks have been truly fantastic and it is not without a sizeable amount of disappointment that I return tomorrow. And whilst I do have two weeks leave over christmas, the big question remains.
How do I create a work life balance?
The task appears quite astronomic at first. Family, work and me time. When do I exactly fit in friends, let alone going out? My natural and perhaps naive response is to create a schedule. Whilst I love organisation (it works), I do take heed of the constant advice of how enourmous this life change really is and how difficult planning becomes. But I am positive and I am enthusiastic. If my schedule version 1.0 turns into version 101.0 in a year, or even a month, I am pretty sure it will be better than the one I am putting together now.
I'd like to keep my old morning routine. Up by 6am, I'll exercise and answer a handful of emails on the bus before arriving at work by 8am. The next step is key, leaving by 4:30, which is up to 90 minutes earlier than in the past. Hopefully the boss in onboard!!! Getting home by five will enable up to two hours of quality time with my daughter before her bedtime. If it means that I spend the last few hours of the night working from home than it is well worth it. From 6:30 I am aiming to start dinner, leaving a few hours later to exercise, read, catchup with my wife, tie up a few loose ends at work or god forbid, chores.
One thing is certain, life will be busy. Let's see how we go.
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Introduction
I have a new baby girl. And she is beautiful.
She came in a instant. Three and half weeks early, caching us more than a little by surprise. We went to bed on a normal Thursday night and by dawn we were parents.
Whilst not completely naive, I felt quite safe in my plans to finish work a week prior to the due date. This left more than enough time to setup the nursery, prepare myself, complete a number of odds jobs around the house and to finalise key tasks at my workplace. Obviously, I was a little foolish but also a little lucky to receive an early reminder of the adaptability required of a parent. That said, I have been quite fortunate in being afforded six weeks leave, part paternity part annual recreation, which has facilitated a smoother transition than would have otherwise occurred.
I do love spring time in Adelaide. It makes these six weeks even more special. Combining the sun and warmth of the season with the start of a new family has been special. A normal day for me with the little one lists a morning feed, a walk in the park, playtime, bathtime and the odd nursery rhymes. On personal note, I am still able to indulge in a little exercise, reading, trips down the supermarket and preparing dinner each night. Once or twice a week I have even been able to am able to spend time on one of my many garden projects, take lunch with the family down at the pantry, share a teapot with my father, spend time with friends and family and oh yes, start singing lessons.
If it sounds idyllic, it's because it is. I find myself content and happy, but longing for a continuance for the reality of work soon encroaches.
I am normally very involved in my job. Digitally connected by phone, tablet and mac, I am normally available 24x7 for crisis or query. My typical work day starts with a quick check of email over breakfast, 30 minutes answering emails on the bus, followed by a ten hour day, before 20 minutes on the bus with emails. This routine has enabled the remainder of my day and the weekends mostly devoid of work. Albeit, often tired and not the most helpful of husbands.
The two lives do not easily reconcile. I do not see an abundance of examples of high achievers at both work and family. I would like to be different.
I want to be great father and role model to my baby girl.
I want to be an great and thoughtful husband to my wife.
I want to be an honest, insightful and engaged individual for me. And
I want to be a successful professional and passionate leader at my work for my team and myself.
This challenge is my story.
She came in a instant. Three and half weeks early, caching us more than a little by surprise. We went to bed on a normal Thursday night and by dawn we were parents.
Whilst not completely naive, I felt quite safe in my plans to finish work a week prior to the due date. This left more than enough time to setup the nursery, prepare myself, complete a number of odds jobs around the house and to finalise key tasks at my workplace. Obviously, I was a little foolish but also a little lucky to receive an early reminder of the adaptability required of a parent. That said, I have been quite fortunate in being afforded six weeks leave, part paternity part annual recreation, which has facilitated a smoother transition than would have otherwise occurred.
I do love spring time in Adelaide. It makes these six weeks even more special. Combining the sun and warmth of the season with the start of a new family has been special. A normal day for me with the little one lists a morning feed, a walk in the park, playtime, bathtime and the odd nursery rhymes. On personal note, I am still able to indulge in a little exercise, reading, trips down the supermarket and preparing dinner each night. Once or twice a week I have even been able to am able to spend time on one of my many garden projects, take lunch with the family down at the pantry, share a teapot with my father, spend time with friends and family and oh yes, start singing lessons.
If it sounds idyllic, it's because it is. I find myself content and happy, but longing for a continuance for the reality of work soon encroaches.
I am normally very involved in my job. Digitally connected by phone, tablet and mac, I am normally available 24x7 for crisis or query. My typical work day starts with a quick check of email over breakfast, 30 minutes answering emails on the bus, followed by a ten hour day, before 20 minutes on the bus with emails. This routine has enabled the remainder of my day and the weekends mostly devoid of work. Albeit, often tired and not the most helpful of husbands.
The two lives do not easily reconcile. I do not see an abundance of examples of high achievers at both work and family. I would like to be different.
This challenge is my story.
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