What seems to be the problem?

by Angela Ware

Like many professionals in this age of cost efficiency and fiscal management, I have the privilege of working from home. This is more often than not a perfect arrangement for me. However, there are times when my attempts at maintaining work-life balance are met with a rub.

Case in point: I recently had guests staying at my home during the week. As a good host, I got up every morning and prepared breakfast for everyone. Then at 8:00 am I would go into my office and begin my work day, stop around 10am to visit with my guests for a few minutes, and head back to work. I would disengage, for lunch with my guests and take an afternoon guest break.

After a couple of days, I noticed that my guests were showing less and less appreciation for my attempts at “balance”. Therefore, I was compelled to ask the question, “What seems to be the problem?”

Their answer, “You don’t seem to want us around.” Wow! I didn’t see that coming…

Like many of us I had developed an effective plan and routine for my day. But I failed to communicate my plan to those who were in the wake of my decision, leading to a misunderstanding and potentially damaging a relationship.

If you have ever had your intentions and someone’s perception of your actions (personal or professional) fall out of alignment, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

So what lesson did I learn (if not relearn) from this experience?

It is not the development of a plan, but the effective communication of a plan that will determine its ultimate success. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.