FOCUS:Work out the work-life balance

Rwandans have of late embraced the culture of work unlike in the past and most of them spend at least a third of their day at work. Unfortunately, it seems that most of these employed are not satisfied with their jobs. The reasons for this dissatisfaction are diverse; lack of commensurate remuneration, little or no work life balance, office politics, and insubordination from junior staff or lack of growth prospects. The job market at the moment is unpredictable and jumping ship may not be the ideal course of action. However there are things you can do in the interim, to enjoy your work. First it is important to always plan ahead. Every morning update your to do-list. Keep it close and prioritise your work. Make provisions for interruptions but be careful that these do not keep you away from completing your more important assignments or tasks. Research has shown that writing down what you need to do releases your mind so you can concentrate on your tasks. Continually ensure that you are making the best of your time. Remember that time is money and time lost is irretrievable. Do the best you can but do not drive or worry yourself to the point of exhaustion. Every evening before you leave the office, go over your to-do list, check against the tasks completed and those you did not. Clear the pending items before you start on new tasks the next day. Your other part of life apart from work life needs to be active too for you to be satisfied with your work. All work and no play makes Tom a dull boy. Devoting all your time to work at the expense of other areas of your life, family, friends and social activities may leave you feeling resentful and eventually dissatisfied. Leave work at work and look for ways to relax that tired mind when not in the office. Spend your weekends and away time with family and friends at various spots which are rapidly popping up in Kigali. You can also pursue hobbies or spend some quite time to yourself. In as much as it is normal to feel like your identity is defined by your careers and your job, remember that you are more than your work. When at work, take regular breaks during the course of the day. A walk around the block or fifteen minutes away from your workstation, your mobile and the office can do wonders for rejuvenation. Lastly be positive in anything you do whatever the situation you are in. Having a positive attitude is very important for your development as a person. First of all you should count yourself lucky to be employed because we are experiencing tough economic times and therefore getting a job around can be tiresome. As unhappy as you may be, you are still getting your pay check regularly. Make an effort to find out which aspects of your day you look forward to. Is there a particular colleague whose fresh insights you value? Maybe you work with a team of great stuff or you have very quite, pleasant working environment. Visualise what you would want to be your ideal situation at work what would make you happy and what is lacking. Is there anything you can do to achieve the perfect scenenerio? Having a clear idea helps you know what to do to achieve the end results. dedantos2002@yahoo.com