Work-Life Balance According to Jennie

Ah, work-life balance. As I was driving to campus this morning I was thinking about what I could contribute to today’s discussion. Of course, it’s now dinnertime and I’m just getting around to posting these comments (so much for balance today). With that said…

Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as 9-to-5 in the public relations profession. This is a service industry, and that means we need to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Think about it: whether it’s a new business pitch, an urgent media call or a crisis situation, we have to be ready to respond. However, the trick to long-term survival – particularly for those who struggle with work and personal/family/home responsibilities (see Mark’s “superwoman” comments) – is to attempt to find some balance. A few thoughts to consider:

Understand your priorities. Juggling multiple responsibilities under conflicting and ever-changing deadlines is a critical skill for public relations professionals to master. To survive in this industry, you need to know what’s important to your boss and your clients. Make their priorities your priorities. But here’s a tip to help keep your sanity: know what’s due right now versus tomorrow or a week from tomorrow. I can say with some certainty that your “to-do” list will be there tomorrow. It will never get shorter – trust me – so stay focused on what’s important right now, get it done and then make time for the other areas of your life.

Know when to ask for help. Public relations is a deadline-driven industry. Communicate early and often about the status of your work. If you’ve hit a road block or are running behind schedule, it’s better to speak up before a deadline rather than make excuses after.

Maintain your emotional and physical well-being. This is a demanding profession, and you need to be at the top of your game every day. Don’t just focus on work. Spend time with family and friends. Exercise. Have a hobby. Being a well-rounded person will improve your work performance, not hinder it. I once had a doctor tell me that if I kept up at the pace I was going, I’d never make it past my thirties. Ouch. While I still forget his advice from time to time, I somehow managed to survive that decade and make my may into the next by finding some spare moments to relax and recharge.

As Alyssa asked in her blog, is it so wrong for women to want it all? I feel we should be able to have it all. The question is whether we can. Or maybe the better question is “How do we strive to have it all and still maintain balance?”

I have a paperweight on my desk that’s inscribed with the word “balance.” It’s a constant reminder of what I’m still trying to achieve. Have you found it? If so, let me know!

Thanks,
Jennie