Slipping into `down shifting' mode
ANITA, a marketing director at a large bank quit her high-profile secure corporate job to don the hat of a work-at-home mother. Is it a telling sign of inherent weakness or is there more to it than what meets the eye?
Life is on the fast track with work becoming the top priority for one and all. Constant overtime, working weekends, unrelenting pressures and ubiquitous deadlines without any respite do yield handsome salaries and promotions. But the underlying consequences of the daily grind of the job are not hidden. Overworked, stressed and unhappy : that's the way of life. And, personal relationships and health are the price one has to pay for such callous preoccupation with work.
Towards a more balanced lifestyle
There is definitely more to life than work! If you find yourself working too hard and your job is about to rout your family life and ruin your health, its time you put the brakes on your harrowing work schedule. Yes, it's time for some down shifting.
Down shifting does not involve giving up work totally but finding ways to reduce work in pursuit of a more realistic and happy life. As John Drake, co-founder of one of the largest HR consulting firms and pioneer of down shifting aptly conveys through his book, Down shifting: How to Work Less and Enjoy Life More, "Change voluntarily to a less demanding work schedule in order to enjoy life more".
In fact, the trend to slow down is gradually acquiring steam as personal finance expert, Jonquil Lowe reveals, "Millions are reported to be down shifting - cutting back on the daily grind to find a better work-life balance". A 2004 survey corroborate this revealing that four out of ten people under the age of 35 are planning to leave their high-powered, high-stress jobs and down shift at whatever point they are in their careers.
Get off the treadmill
Taking a step back from the rat race will help re-balance your career and life thereby creating more quality time for yourself and your family. You will no longer need to make excuses to miss family get -togethers again and again!
Change gears
Cutting back on work is definitely not the end of the world. There are some low-risk options where minor adjustments in the work schedule can create reasonable amount of downtime. For example, set reasonably achievable deadlines or define a time for your work. This will reduce the ensuing stress and pressure. If there is still no lax in work, you have to build up the nerve to say `no' to some assignments. As one executive reveals, "My secret is not to accept a new challenge that would immediately stretch the home front to its limits. Because if things do heat up at work (and we all know that happens) the home front would collapse in the middle of the battle at work, with the attendant consequences".
Change work arrangements
Though it may initially sound like professional hara-kiri, flexitime options can greatly help in stepping out of the `overworked' mould. Working part-time, job sharing, compressing work hours, working from home, telecommuting are some alternatives that enable combining the job and personal life successfully. Or else you can decline a proffered promotion or opt for a downward move. Irrespective of your recourse, reinforce your ambition and commitment to the organisation even while incorporating downtime in the work schedule.
Change big-time
As a last resort, take refuge in a sabbatical to further your education, travel or to just take a break. If there is still no sign of letting down, it's time to give it all up and chalk a new path or move to a smaller town. Down shifting may be the answer to all your problems, but there are some trade-offs too. With the inherent reduction/loss of pay and chances of promotions, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. You do have to get a life too. So, take heart in the popular epigram, "The trouble with the rat race is, even if you win, you are still a rat".
PAYAL CHANANIA
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