Association Leadership - May/June 2008 - (Page 7)

president’s column Everything is faster. It’s needed now. Or it’s never-ending. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While you may enjoy your job, if you don’t take a break… someday you will have a breakdown. Beth Brooks, CAE President Texas Society of Association Executives Balance: A Vital Part of Success This issue of Association Leadership deals with ÒAssociations as a ProfessionÓ Ð why they matter and why some of us have chosen to work in this profession. In addition, we also address how to work, how to make a difference, how to understand the Ònew workforceÓ and how to live a balanced life. We juggle so many issues on a daily basis in the association world, itÕs never a boring day. It is the connectivity Ð a commitment to making a difference Ð that makes many people ßock to associations. When Dr. Arthur Brooks spoke at our annual conference last September, he said studies show the happiest people are those who belong to something such an association. The Center for Quality of Life teaches that when you live in a state of meaning and fulÞllment, you will be more resilient to face crazy circumstances around you. So, if we have met that criterion, do we have anything to complain about? Yes, according to my own informal survey, from which the most common complaint from association professionals is Òlack of time.Ó With no edges to the work day or week, many seem to toil around the clock. Everything is faster. ItÕs needed now. Or itÕs never-ending. But it doesnÕt have to be that way. While you may enjoy your job, if you donÕt take a breakÉ someday you will have a breakdown. I believe you can accomplish a lot Ð if you are strategic and innovative about managing your time Ð and still allow time for a break. Here are four recommendations for balancing ÒworkÓ with the rest of your life: 1. Lessen multi-tasking Ð While we used to brag about multi-tasking, it is taking its toll on us. You can do 10 simultaneous tasks adequately, or you can do one thing well. Use multi-tasking for only the smaller, quicker jobs. 2. Get organized Ð Your desktop. Your Þles. Your e-mail. Distractions and time spent looking for things keep you from focusing on the most important task Ð getting the job done. 3. Be 100 percent focused and present at work Ð Group your work and work on similar tasks. Switching back and forth between too many subjects slows you down and distracts you. Develop a system for recording and tracking tasks. 4. More important than working well is playing well Ð ItÕs funny how weÕve gotten away from ÒplayingÓ and that we feel guilty taking time off work. I have a 13-year-old son who is 5-foot-8 and has a deep masculine voice. But I smile every time he talks with one of his childhood friends and asks if they can come over and Òplay.Ó It saddens me that he will eventually stop using that term. The need for ÒplayÓ is something we never outgrow. Ever wonder why some of your best ideas come while youÕre on vacation, or in the shower? We need to set aside time to be Òoff work.Ó Consider the word Òrecreation.Ó Synonyms are regeneration and rebirth. We literally recreate our minds when we play a sport, or have a hobbyÉ or even go for a walk. Julie Morgenstern, author of ÒNever Check your Email in the Morning,Ó talks about the need to balance three categories in your personal life to maintain true energy: 1. Physical health Ð Sleep, exercise and proper diet all maintain your physical body. This provides the well of energy from which you draw strength to accomplish everything you need to do. 2. Escape Ð Certain activities renew us by providing relaxation, refreshment or just sheer delight. These activities (no-brainers that give us joy) are important to build into our everyday lives. 3. People Ð We are all busy and it is easy to take relationships for granted because you count on history and familial bonds to hold them together. Yet relationships need more than good feelings and memories to thrive. Spending quality, focused time with people lets them know they are important to you and recharges your batteries. ItÕs hard to maintain a never-balanced work/life challenge. There is always more work. And just think how much you could get done if you skip that class or cancel the long weekend getaway. But, chances are you will actually accomplish more if you get out of the ofÞce, take that vacation or simply Þnd your own way to recharge the batteries. YouÕll be a better person for it. And thatÕs what matters. ◆ May/June 2008 | Association LEADERSHIP 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - May/June 2008

Association Leadership - May/June 2008 Contents President’s Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions Cover Feature: Associations As a Profession Positivity: Key to Retaining Young Talent Perspectives Association Case Study TSAE Annual Conference TSAE's Newest CAEs New Members Community Spotlight Grand Membership Campaign Committee Thank-yous Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Index to Advertisers Advertiser.com The Lighter Side of Associations- New Feature

Association Leadership - May/June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.