Ms the Word: Reconnecting with the human touch
*Why everyone benefits from getting the work-life balance right*
By on Feb 5, 2011All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Or so they say.
I am a sucker for aphorisms and homespun rhetoric. In fact, I am a writer of homespun rhetoric, I suppose.
Anyway, it is about 9:50 p.m. and I am sitting in my apartment, typing.
I have the television on, more depression about Tunisia, and the kettle on, to make another cup of tea.
Berlin is a deep and meaningful moody place, but the tea bags are awful.
I have just sent a text to someone in New Jersey, offering a telephone conference right now, so I might get interrupted. It has been a long day.
I flew in from Basel this morning, to Schonefeld, and had a long and slow taxi ride to the office, which I did not mind as it gave me the chance to practice my German on someone.
Have you noticed how it is much easier to make a fool of yourself with people you do not know?
I was reflecting on a conversation I had on Friday morning with a former colleague.
We used to talk all the time when I was in the same company but now the hilarious tear-inducing discussions have gone.
What I have noticed is that the work-life balance has shifted, which is the aphorism that was in my head when I started to write this.
I am working all the hours of the day, returning to a cold and soulless apartment in a high rise block, collapsing in the bed, falling into a coma, and waking to start the next day.
On Friday afternoon, I gave feedback to a member of staff.
She has done a very good job, in difficult circumstances, but her achievements are beyond work.
She set out to rebalance her life this year, including yoga (yuck) and a cooking course.
She has also become pregnant and will shortly leave on maternity.
Her child will benefit from the yoga and the more balanced life, I am sure.
She is probably already benefiting. I think we, the company, are also benefiting.
The little in-fills in her conversation, human touches, recollections from books read or films watched, have made her relax a little.
She has taken in the scene, paid more attention to others, and adopted a slightly softer tone, which has been noticed and remarked on.
Her behavior has been noted by several people in the team and her image has improved rather than been damaged.
In fact, she has seemed more intelligent and valuable.
So this morning, apart from my luggage of un-ironed shirts, I have brought back my guitar.
I have dusted it off, invested in a thing called a Fast Track, and I am about to plug it in.
Eric, you are safe at the moment; Keith, you can light another cigarette.
But give me time, oh yes.
Tomorrow, I shall tell my former colleague about the licks I played and I shall laugh that there is no Stairway to Heaven in this guitar but perhaps at least there might be some value in walking on the beaches ... looking at the peaches.