Becoming Our Best
AWAY FROM HOME
Over my work life I have spent many days, weeks and months away from home. Sometimes because I wanted to take a short vacation alone, most times because my work required me to go hundreds or thousands of miles away and stay there, sometimes for months at a stretch.
It is hard when a person has to be away from home, but it is also part of the fabric of life in some types of work. It just has to be. So what can we do to make these periods away from family, home and friends easier? Here are a few thoughts that may help you:
• Decide to make the best of your time away from home. Try to enjoy the people, the culture and the beauty of the location.
• Communicate frequently with loved ones. They need to hear our voice as much as we long to hear theirs.
• Find ways to travel home as frequently as the job and finances will allow.
• Remember that your family members are also under stress due to your absence. Try to be extra kind to them.
• Carefully watch yourself to prevent the growth of bad habits like a negative attitude, drinking too much or eating poorly.
There is an old saying about “turning lemons into lemonade” that is helpful in times when we must be away from home. If you will try to make the best of the assignment, you will be happier and enjoy the work that needs to be done. If you choose to be upset, angry or just negative about the assignment, you, your family and your work will suffer.
The experience of being away from home is a part of life that we sometimes must accept. How we deal with that experience is our choice. Choose well.
Author: Bruce Johnsen Management Consultant:
824 Munras Ave Suite G
Monterey, CA 93940
831-373-5969
bruce@brucejohnsen.com
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