Page 182 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2020
P. 182

HOME
HOME IS WHERE
he workplace landscape is constantly evolving. From the coveted corner
o ce to the open bullpen concept, employers are always trying to improve productivity, e ciency, and worker satisfaction. Remember when the corporate headquarters was called the home o ce? With innovations
in communication and data management technologies, home o ces really are at home now. Nearly 42 percent of the American workforce works from home today.
story by Shannon Stage photos by Holly Harrison
Since the 1980s, another concept
has been part of the workplace conversation: “work-life balance.” Associated with the Women’s Equal Rights Movement, the balance between working outside of the home and taking care of the family became a central issue for working wives and mothers. Now more than ever, working women (and all women are working women)  nd themselves doing more
at home. In addition to working a job, we’re taking care of our children and doing everything else that needs doing around the house. Work-life balance
can be elusive, if not impossible, to achieve. How do we take care of business, our families, our friends, and ourselves?
Every day we have to assess our priorities and be honest about how much e ort it will take to accomplish tasks. Rarely are days neat and tidy or routine. We have to learn to be present and focused on what is in front of
us and be kind to ourselves when we don’t get it all done. Continue to keep that pretty calendar, but make sure it includes ME time. Pencil it in, whether it be time to read, play with a child,
take a yoga class or just take a walk. Whatever it is that recharges your battery, do it. Women are very good at taking care of others, but we just don’t make the same e ort to do things we really want to do. Stop feeling guilty and put yourself at the front of the line at least some of the time.
Take care of yourself and take care of your business by creating a home o ce where you really enjoy spending time. You need personal space away from distractions. Treat it like a corporate o ce. Choose a room with a view to the outdoors if you can.
182 | September 2020
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