Take control of time at work

There has always been a subtle connection made between the management perception of an employee working for long hours and his output. Though as old as the industrial revolution, employers still widely hold the view. It forces employees to put in long hours as a consequence of which they may not work with the required concentration and effort all through. Employees find it difficult to maintain a work-life balance while finding time for activities outside work. Productivity and efficiency are affected in the process.

Though a few progressive and future-savvy companies have adopted practices like Results Oriented Work Environment (ROWE) and are emphasizing on the quality of work rather than the number of hours put, most others still have a long way to go. Considering the advantages of such practices, companies may welcome these changes in the future. Until then employees will have to work under these old-fashioned management perceptions. Working long hours as a way of showing one’s commitment is unavoidable and the boss or subordinates cannot be blamed. You will have to make a conscious and organized effort to avoid working long hours. Otherwise it will lead to burnout even before you reach your full potential in your career. The good news is that there is a way to get around these antiquated perceptions.

Here are some suggestions to avoid the practice and still be appreciated, even by a workaholic boss.

• The most important to remember if you want to cut yours hours at work is to tell yourself that the quality of work matters more than the quantity.

• Try and find out the goals you need to accomplish as apart of your job with the help of your boss. Ensure that your goals are resulted oriented rather than hours oriented.
  
  For instance, if you have a sales job, make it your goal to close at least two deals and get promising leads in a month rather than making cold calls throughout the period just to cover your time at work.

• The next step is to find out from sources in the company, the criteria for a promotion. Though the hours put in are important, the emphasis is greater on the quality of work.

• Your boss and co-workers should be aware of your schedules outside work hours.

• Also concentrate on the work that is most important to your boss and focus less on his low priority goals. This way your boss will appreciate you and prevent others from loading you with work because it may clash with his goals.

• Try to take control of your time at work.

• Take time out for activities that interest and engage you so that you do not devote all your time at work.

• Finally adopt a brave attitude, this will help you to say ‘no’ even if people push you and leave office even if others are working late provided your work is complete. Endeavour to bring out quality work as per target lines and do important assignments much better than others.