Changing your own working hours? Look to the future.
0 CommentsChanging your own working hours? Consider this.
When trying to create a change, such as to the hours we work, we often try to do it instantly, when it seems overwhelming. Whilst we can, usually make some quick changes, to create space. For a more significant change, longer-term plans are usually needed.
For example, to work fewer hours, by the summer, gives us time.
Let us suggest that you now plan to create a new shorter/more flexible working week, by the end of June. Now we can aim for a longer deadline which gives us time to make the changes.
The next step is to be clear about what specifically you want your working week (or working month to be). Ask yourself:
1. What work do you want to do when? Perhaps fee earning and admin will be at different times or days (depending on how time critical the work it)
2. What times are you happy to work?
3. Is it the same every week or is there some other flexibility you you want?
Now that you are clear on what you want, we need to move to how to achieve it? Consider the following:
1. What needs to happen specifically to create that week?
2. How will you specifically do those things?
3. Who do you need to speak to and what do you need to say?
4. What do you need to change and how specifically will you do that?
5. And how will you specifically best protect the decisions you’ve made?
Imagine the change. Plan the change. Implement the change. Protect the change.
Every decision you now make is measured against that new change.
I use a traffic light system to make quick decisions aligned with my goals. Red – goes against it. Amber – neutral or supportive. Green – aligned or drives it.
Let me know what comes to mind and how you get on.
Simona
