How to Actually Leave Work on Time
There is a lot to do. Always is. You sit at your desk every day long before you quit smoking to make sure everything is done, but in the end you suffer for it. It’s okay to leave work on time, and these tips will help you make it a habit.
Get rid of the guilt
“When can I leave?” You are asking yourself as you browse the office. No one has left yet – being the first is scary, so you’ll find some more work. Before you know it, you have inadvertently spent overtime work to calm your guilt. This is not the best approach and will lead to burnout. That’s why Belle Beth Cooper on the todoist blog says you should afford to quit your job.
Change your perspective on the whole process. Instead of thinking of it as “I’m leaving work,” think of it as striving for something. For example, think of it as “go home to see my family,” or “go to the gym,” or even “spend some personal time.” Present your next activity as important in your life and you will be much less guilty of leaving when you are well qualified to care.
Solve big problems as early as possible
Sometimes you may work late because you are putting off an important task until a later day. Before you know it, things pop up and accumulate. However, if something needs to be done on that day, it needs to be done. So you start late and finish even later. Elizabeth Grace Saunders of Fast Company invites you to ask yourself this question every morning:
What made me work late?
Whatever you come up with, put it at the top of your to-do list for the day. And if you can help, schedule all your appointments and appointments early in the day. Meeting at the end of the day can drag you in and delay you later than you planned.
Make a plan right after work
If you find yourself running late for work simply because you have nothing better to do, well, allow yourself to do something better! After work, make plans that will motivate you to leave the office and do something else. Schedule dinners with your significant other, schedule early evening personal workouts at the gym, or simply meet up with friends for a happy hour. Make a commitment that will take you away from the rat race.
Be persistent when needed.
If you want to leave at a specific time every day, you need to tell others about it. Others may enjoy staying up late or have nothing to do, but that doesn’t mean you should join their fun-loving overtime gang. Employment Coach Leah McLeod recommends letting others know that you intend to leave by a specific time each day. Be persistent and explain that you plan to leave for X every night, then continue. You need to teach your coworkers what to expect from you in terms of your schedule. This is especially important when you are working in an environment where there is no set closing time.
It’s also important to learn to say no to things that aren’t part of your daily routine. This does not mean that you should not help or try to be a team player. It’s more about knowing your limits and what you can actually do during the set working hours every day. If someone asks you to start something half an hour before you get ready to hit the road, tell them that you will do it first thing in the morning.
Set a reminder and plan a transition period
My personal favorite advice is to set a reminder for yourself every day that signals when it’s time to start slowing down. Plan this transition time by half an hour before you want to leave work. That should give you enough time to get to where your work stops, and the rest of the time you can use to tackle small tasks and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. Doing this every day will help you develop a healthy late-day routine that will help you get out on time and get you started the next day. Just beware of another syndrome. There’s always something to do, so don’t get caught up in a busy work cycle.