Balancing fun and work during the dog days of summer

Balancing fun and work during the dog days of summerBalancing fun and work during the dog days of summerAs we inch ever closer to Labor Day, there seems to be a slow-burn panic to have as much fun as possible while we totenstill can. But is there a way to enjoy yourself while still being productive? Most emphatically yesLadders asked communications professional Greta Vanhersecke - whose entire career is based on other people enjoying themselves for her best advice on finding the balance between work and fun.As the founder of GV Public Relations, Vanhersecke admits that while her job can be fun being a travel and hospitality publicist is a 24/7 kind of career and lifestyle. Clients like hotels, resorts, airlines, and cruise lines are always open and running, so the expectation is that you are as well.Wait, so that sounds like Vanherseckes job skews more to work than fun, though she says thats not the case While I always remain professional, I find ways to enjoy the job where and when I can. This could be by extending a work trip to go sightseeing or visit friends who live in the area, treating myself to a spa massage after work hours, or taking a moment to appreciate the amazing meals I get to experience while visiting my clients.Vanhersecke offered some tips on balancing work and funAlways have a plan and stay organizedPay close attention to when you are needed to work and when you can take time for yourself. Dont zone out in a meeting and dont leave early or come in late. Check your schedule and mark off time for goofing off as long as youve already met your deadlinesBe off with youWhen youve officially taken time off Vanhersecke advises trying to truly unplug from work calls and emails, so you can really experience the moment and recharge. This will help you mentally, physically and emotionally and will ultimately make you better at your job.Explain yourselfNot all careers balance fabulous travel and decadent meals, but its still important to make your boss or clients realize that youre still working hard and meeting your work requirements. Vanherseckes clients are all in the travel and hospitality industry, so they understand what this lifestyle entails and have never second-guessed the quality of my work or my work ethic. She explains that her clients see me responding to emails at 11 pm at night or 6 am in the morning, or even on the weekends. Theres never a misconception that if shes out late the night before shes in any way neglecting her duties.Do what you loveIf you feel that you need to have more fun or pleasure in life, consider a career that celebrates, understands and rewards those ideals. Vanhersecke explains that her clients are in this industry for the same reason that I am because of their love of and passion for travel and hospitality. Just like me, they are posting photos of themselves enjoying the perks of traveling for work or experiencing a great meal.- - - Define funIf you would like to infuse your average da y with a bit more fun, it helps to be extremely organized. Vanhersecke says its crucial to decide first what fun means to you and then schedule it into your week, so the time doesnt get away from you. She suggests you ask yourself a few questions and find your own definition of fun and then pursue it. Do you enjoy working out? Being social with friends? Spending more time with your partner? If you want to stay healthy, schedule in some time each morning for a fitness class. If you want to be more social with friends, make sure you complete your work before theyre done with their workday and make solid plans each week that you cant cancel on. If you want more quality time with your partner, work more hours Monday through Thursday, so you can enjoy a three-day weekend together.It may sound counterintuitive to have to schedule in fun, but Vanhersecke says its important to make that commitment to yourself and it gives you something to look forward to.Fun helps you work betterDont feel g uilty about finding joy in the every day. Vanhersecke believes finding fun moments helps you to avoid burnout. Fun and play are so essential in making you a happier, more balanced person and I truly believe that taking vacations, getting good sleep, working out and spending time with loved ones recharges you so that you can give 100% when you do work.Now go have some fun

Married women do more housework than single moms

Married women do mora housework than single momsMarried women do more housework than single momsIt seems like single mothers would have the short end of the stick when it comes to housework, with no one around to help them and work on top of everything. But women who have children and are married to men actually do more household chores, by about 32 minutes daily, finds a new studyfrom researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Maryland, and the University of Southern California.Adjusted for differences in employment, education, race, and number of children or other extended family members at home, married women spend an average of 2.95 hours daily on housework, compared to 2.41 hours for unmarried women. In addition, married mothers spend 10 minutes less daily on leisure activities and get 13 minutes less of sleep. These numbers are consistent whether the married woman works full-time or is a stay-at-home mom.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazin es on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreUnmarried mothers did the least amount of housework out of all groups married, cohabiting, divorced. But it was clear that the married women were prioritizing housework over leisure and sleep, said the researchers.Gender expectationsThe reason is gender expectations married women are more likely to perform gender in their relationships, according to the authors. Part of the role of being a wife, many women have been conditioned to believe, includes providing home-cooked meals, clean-folded clothes, and immaculate houses and the time making this happen adds up to more housework. Marriage is thus associated with gendered time use, meaning the way one chooses to spend their time on extra housework, for example is a way one can do their gender in the relationship.And men arent helping when they could be. The research is really showing that men are not necessarily contributing in ways that are bringing about equality in the home, author Joanna Pepin from the University of Texastold Fortune. The research also shows that having a man in the house adds to the amount of housework a woman has to do.Women who cohabited with a man spent about the same amount of time on housework and sleep as married mothers, showing that they were facing similar pressure, perhaps housework extras like the expectation of meals cooked from scratch or a doubled laundry duty. Being in a partnership appears to ratchet up the demands or expectations for housework, Pepin said.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Starting a New Job Dont Take Those Old Bad Habits With You

Starting a New Job Dont Take Those Old Bad Habits With You Starting a New Job Dont Take Those Old Bad Habits With You One of the most common constellations of bad habits occurs when we get too busy for our own good and the combination ofshrinking resources and increasing responsibilities pushes us to the brink. When thathappens, we inadvertently slip into self-defeating habits that drain our already precious time, energy, resources, and focus even more.The problem with this pattern over time is that, when demands outpace capacity, you end up negotiating with yourself about which fire of the day you will put out while the others are painfully neglected. I call this set of imperfect choices the managers dilemma, because it is truly a no-win situation without an obvious solution.If you manage people, priorities, and projects, then the chances are good that you have encountered the dilemma at some point you may even be struggling with its consequences right now.Whether you want a clean slate in your next job, or you just need to turn over a new leaf in your current role, you cant let the dilemma bog you down.Are You in the Midst of the Managers Dilemma?To know whether or elendyou are stuck in the dilemmas grip, listen to the way you talk about your own work. The emergence of paradoxical statements like the following is the first sign that the managers dilemma is settling into your atmosphereI cant afford to relax because things are too busy right now.Im drained, but I have to set an example of perseverance for the team.With so many deadlines and demands, some priorities will have to be sacrificed.Its too crazy now Ill focus better once things settle down.From the outside looking in, you can see how backward statements like unterstellung actually are. If a friend said something like this to you, it would be easy to point out the flaw in their logic and show them how the undoubtedly counterproductive behaviors stemming from these attitudes will leave them more deep ly entrenched in their dilemma. However, when it comes to our own situations, were too close to and too tangled up in them to maintain this level of objectivity.When we are stuck in our own dilemmas, we somehow start believing that this is how work has to be. Over time, the cumulative effect of this way of thinking and working leaves us feeling like there is truly no way out. What was easy is now difficult. What was enjoyable is now unsatisfying. What was just an inconvenient headache is now a crisis. What used to give us a sense of purpose now seems unimportant. This is the managers dilemma.How the Managers Dilemma Forces Us to Make Unfair TradeoffsWhen we are pinned down bythese beliefs, we struggle to act in ways that align with our aspirations, values, and goals. We are pushed and pulled by the veryirreconcilable choices that are at the heart of what it means to work, manage, and lead well.Which goal rises above all your other priorities?Which fire of the day gets extinguished w hile others are selectively ignored simply because there are too few resources available to put them all out?Which project receives funding while other high-potential opportunities languish?Which team member gets your attention as other deserving candidates are inadvertently overlooked?These are just a few examples of the critical assessments, judgment calls, and decisions that frame the ultimate concern for managers. Within each of these difficult questions, you see the endless set of tradeoffs managers and influential contributors must make when stuck in the dilemma.Stuck in the Managers Dilemma? Learn How to Get OutThe good news is that the underlying factors that create and sustain the managers dilemma can be intelligently addressed in a way that actually boosts your capacity to lead effectively even through the chaos and strain of the busiest schedule. This means you do not have to take those old habits with you into your fresh start.The key is to notice the subtle attitudes a nd behaviors that ultimately lead to self-defeating routines that keep us spinning our wheels. To start overcoming your dilemma, you can take this complimentary assessment to see if the tell-tale signs are present in your working life.