Like a lightning bolt from the sky, the tragic events of Sept. 11 have reminded us that each moment with our loved ones is precious. Our friends and family are our anchors in what sometimes seems like a sea of insanity. Now more than ever, many of us are rethinking what is important to us and how we want to spend our time.

Even before the terrorist attacks, a recent survey found that American workers feel as stressed on their days off as they do while on the job. And a large part of that is because their jobs spill into their nonwork hours. For example, 43 percent said they spend some of their free time either being on call or dealing with work issues. Though we gripe about not having enough leisure time, until now it hasn’t been important enough for us to do something about it. So, get a life! Let’s do something about making time for our families, our loved ones, ourselves, our hobbies and all the things that can enrich our lives.

Get is the operative word in that phrase. No one will give you a life. You have to take control and do the things that create the space for family and interests other than work. One of my early mentors, a sailing afficionado, encouraged me to think of life as made up of five ports and suggested that I try to sail into all of them in order to achieve some balance in my life. The five ports are family, self, work, community and friends. I rarely found the time for all five ports, but when I really worked at it I could consistently do better than one or two. Here’s how to begin.

Make Work Fit Within Eight Hours (OK, Maybe 10 Hours)

I know this seems impossible in this world of instant and constant communication, but it can be done. It just takes commitment and a few tricks.


Try out the theory of good enough.
This advice came to me from a university professor who helped me understand how in our quest for perfectionism we become our own worst enemy. Most tasks can be done to the 90 percent level and meet or exceed the requirements. Time spent finding the last bit of information has only marginal value, and the cost of time is high. Pick a point in your work where you stop to ask the question, Is this good enough? It may not work every time, but it can go a long way toward making perfectionism more manageable.


Outlaw interruptions.
Set boundaries and don’t let others abuse them. I liked to start work early to clear voice mail and e-mail, and get ready for the day’s round of meetings. Once everyone knew my habits they started calling and "dropping by" during those early hours. As a result my day got longer and longer, until I learned to shut my door and turn the phone off during that time. Stay focused on what you are doing, and avoid the distractions of an interruptive environment.


Refuse homework.
Do you find yourself sitting on your briefcase in a desperate attempt to get it to close? I did. At first I thought I needed a bigger briefcase. Then I realized the overstuffed contents all had a little tag attached saying, "Please read this 200-page document over the weekend, and give me your comments." Most of these homework assignments come from your staff. So make your staff work a little harder. Ask for an executive summary for all documents over three pages. Read it in the block of time you set aside?during office hours?just for this kind of activity. Believe me, it works.


Announce your departure.
Let everyone know. Say, "I am leaving at 6 p.m.," and then do it. In one of my many attempts at balance, I went back to playing the piano. Every Monday evening I had a lesson at 7 p.m. Amazingly, everyone cooperated to get me out the door in time for those lessons. Peter Nero I am not, but playing the piano is a unique combination of relaxation and concentration. Just right for me.


Let go.
Have someone else do it. Delegate it. It’s almost too prosaic to include this, but it is an essential element of getting free time. This is especially true if you ever want to have a vacation free of office interference. One year I rotated key tasks through the organization, telling my employees I wanted things to function flawlessly if I was gone for a month. I didn’t even have a month’s vacation at the time, but this team could have handled everything if I left for a while. When I went away for a week or more, I put someone in charge and told him to make decisions, instead of holding them until I got back. In return, I made a vow that I would live with his decisions and not revoke them when I came back.