Whether you work for yourself from home or your travel to work for someone else working within reasonable hours is a top priority if you to want to have a life that includes more than work.

Here’s what I’ve learned about keeping reasonable hours:

• Plan ahead and prioritize – know what is it is you want to complete and by when.
• Schedule in work hours – use your own natural rhythms to work effectively and efficiently. Focus on the task at hand.
• Allow for problems, delays, and setbacks – things happen, answers aren’t always as forthcoming as you might hope, learning new skills doesn’t always happen when it’s convenient.
• Delegate, outsource or get help with the tasks that prove to be ineffective and take up your time, energy and headspace.
• Allow wrap up time – pack up, tick it off, debrief – finish the task before you start the next one, finish the day before you go home.
• Stick to the times you’ve set – Say “no” to that last minute quick little thing you think you have time for.

In between time:

• Take regular breaks.
• Breathe & stretch, move.
• Include time away from your workspace.
• Connect with others.
• Clear away the finished task.
• Celebrate a job well done.

Finally:

• It is okay to finish early. If you’re done, you’re done. Let it go.

Whether it’s your boss who’s the slave driver or you who’s doing it to yourself, completing work in reasonable hours gives you a bigger sense of achievement than if you keep plodding on. You’ll have energy left for the rest of your life, to do the things you enjoy doing, and with the people who are most important to you. Leave the office at the office and be present when you get home.

Overwhelmed by how many hours you’re spending at work? Contact me to create a tailor-made schedule that works for you and gets things done.