Balance Really Takes Gumption

At a lunch I had with an associate recently, my point was once again validated that it does indeed require gumption to create work life balance. My friend was telling me about his girlfriend, who is a nurse in a very busy medical practice. She works a reasonably normal-length work week, but the issue is vacation time. Though she has lots of it, her bosses will not let her schedule the time off, saying that they can't have her out of the office that long. Yet other, "less critical" people seem to be able to have their vacation requests approved.

My associate said that his girlfriend's stress level runs high through the week, and on Fridays it actually takes a couple of hours for her to ratchet down. Then on Sunday afternoons, the stress level starts to climb again, in anticipation of a new work week. Even on the occasional days off that she's been able to schedule, she might still call in to the office once or twice. To my friend's suggestion of being more firm with her bosses about her desire to take several days off in a row, his girlfriend replies that she really needs her job.

This is not an unusual scenario, probably being replayed in thousands of offices as I write this. But what's the answer?

You have to have the gumption to make a statement for what you want. That doesn't mean that you become unreasonable or threaten to quit your job. You're simply saying that you would like more than just a long weekend when it comes to time off. If the office is set up where they say they can't do without you for more than a day or so, then there's something wrong. Make sure there are other people who can do your job or back you up while you're away.

In short, have the gumption to NOT be indispensable, and make a statement for the balance you want to achieve. Everyone needs time off to recharge their batteries, so if your management isn't allowing you that time, then you might have to rethink your long-term employment plans and seek something else.

Keep your eyes on the Road! ... to Gumption.