Hola, Bonjour, Guten Tag, Hello and Welcome are just some of the greetings that you will hopefully hear this summer if you are off on your travels. And for those that aren’t then I am sure you will hear a bit of – “What about ye?”, “How’s the form?”, “Any craic?” and “Are ye well?” (we really are a friendly bunch across this island – although when you think of it most local greetings come in the form of questions!).
We’ve been pretty blessed with some great weather (& the odd rain shower has managed to keep our farming community happy as well!). The good weather has certainly made it easier to keep a smile on faces and to, hopefully, strike a bit of work life balance. If, like me, you have kids who are in clubs etc then you are possibly never done running the roads. Maybe you’re like Dale, and you have younger kids, then there will have been plenty of BBQs and trips to the park. If your kids are grown up or it’s just you and your partner, or just yourself, then hopefully there have been plenty of BBQs again (a constant summer theme at our house), walks and a bit of relaxing in the sun (possibly with a cool beverage!).
Getting time to relax in the sun is so important – we all need to strike a balance between work and home life. Too often many of us will miss out on time with family and friends because we have this gnawing feeling of guilt when our minds cast back to work. It is hard to switch off, I completely get that. Whilst on holiday I checked emails a bit but because of the great team we have at Modulus I knew that if there was something that needed attention then I could forward the client request on, safe in the knowledge that it was being taken care of. So a support network is huge when trying to achieve a work / life balance.
Strike A Work-Life Balance
Summer always presents the perfect opportunity to realign our priorities and find a healthy work / life balance (& the good weather recently certainly helps).
Here are some tips to make the most of your valuable time:
- Time – a valuable commodity: Set dedicated hours for work and create boundaries.If you are under serious pressure and need to spend some extra time working then consider when you will do this and just as importantly, how long you will do it for.
- Can you get up early?
- Can you work a bit later at night (when the sun has gone)?
- Will you need to work on a Saturday morning?
Set a deadline for the additional time that you will spend working.
Parkinson’s Law states that “it is a commonplace observation that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. Basically it means that you’ll make the task last longer if you don’t set deadlines!
Whatever your reason for carrying out some extra work it is usually going to be important – no doubt about it. It will be a lot about how you prioritise things – only you can do that.
Top Tips for Improving Your Life
- Unplugging for Inner Peace: When it’s time to unwind, maybe set the phone (or other electronic devices) down and give them a wee holiday of their own. Let them enjoy some “me time” while you enjoy some time with family and friends.
- Nurture your Personal Passions: Take time over the summer to do some of the things that you want to do like exploring hobbies and interests beyond the confines of work. It could be going to watch a sports game, playing sport (or trying to play golf), photography, gardening, or learning to strum a tune on a guitar (around a fire after a BBQ). It doesn’t matter what it is as long as you spend time doing things that that bring you joy and allow you to recharge.
- Send that text or make the call: How many people in your contacts list have you said to, “Ah sure we should really grab a catch up over coffee / walk / drink soon?” And then you never do it. Take some time to do it. You never know how much it might impact someone else’s or even your own life.
- Mini Breaks for Macro Smiles: Plan short getaways or day trips to get some real headspace. Rediscover nearby beaches, parks, or scenic spots. Spending some time in our beautiful country, with family and friends should help to make some great memories and bring some balance back into life. Pack a picnic, bring a bat & ball or just a ball, some buckets and spades and get out there! When was the last time that you kicked a ball or played a family game of rounders?
It Doesn’t Have To Cost Money
Do it on the cheap! We are blessed with some exceptional beauty here in our small corner of the world. So much so in fact that people are actually coming on cruise ships and aeroplanes to see it for themselves. Take some time to explore Northern Ireland’s Free Treasures:
- Historic Gems: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Northern Ireland by visiting iconic sites like the Giant’s Causeway (don’t go through the visitor centre unless you want to pay to see it), Dunluce Castle, or the walls of Derry/Londonderry. Maybe contact a local tour guide if you want to learn some more about the history and stories that they hold (this won’t be free but it won’t be overly expensive either).
- Botanic Beauty: Spend a leisurely day at Belfast’s Botanic Gardens (I definitely spent a few days in Botanic Park and then the Botanic Inn later on). The Botanic Gardens are supposed to be class though with the vibrant flora, the Palm House and Tropical Ravine. There is loads of space for picnics and you are right beside the Ulster Museum which is a must as well.
- Just drive: Jump in the car and head out on a scenic drive along the Causeway Coastal Route or over to the Mournes. There is so much to see and it doesn’t cost a fortune. And there are always loads of places to park up for that picnic! Think about stopping at Castlewellan Forest Park. It costs a few quid to use the car park or you can just walk on in! Long walks in the forest around the lake, a BMX bike track and the Peace Maze (pictured) – sure what more could you want?
So, let’s use the summer, and the joy it brings, by finding some harmony between work and life. Cherishing down time with family and friends and spending time enjoying the natural wonders of Northern Ireland.
The best memories can often arise from the simplest pleasures with loved ones
Oh – and don’t forget the sun cream!!!