Linking your Personal & Professional Lives

We are all knee deep in contest season, musical season, and the chaos of balancing both our professional and personal lives. The latest data shows that with the incredible technology we have, our society has become less advanced in face to face interaction. The findings are totally related to what we do every day! 

Professional Life: Top 10 reasons why people lose their jobs:

1. Poor relational skills
2. Failure to keep current in their field
3. Moral failure/Social Media/Money management
4. Failure to carry out assignments
5. Failure to take initiative
6. Negative talk
7. Laziness
8. Attitude of entitlement
9. Failure to demonstrate productivity
10. Self-centered attitudes

Personal Life: Top 10 reasons why relationships fail:

1. Lack of communication
2. Issues related to finance
3. Infidelity or cheating
4. Different expectations
5. Commitment
6. Addiction/Abuse/Mental stability
7. Sexual incompatibility
8. Child-rearing issues
9. Job and career
10. Boredom

What's the direct correlation between the two? COMMUNICATION 

Five Ways to Improve both Professional and Personal Lives:

1. Communicate. Relationships live and die not by the sword, but by the amount of discussion. If two people can't find a way to openly and honestly communicate their needs and feelings to one another, the relationship doesn't stand much of a chance in the long-term. Couples/Families/Co-workers must find a way to communicate regularly, openly, and directly.

2. Compromise. Relationships are not only about taking, but also giving. If you find yourself not giving very much, or feeling resentful of how much you give and how little you receive in return, you may be in an unequal relationship where one side is taking more than they are giving. Communicate your concerns and compromise so it's a win-win for everyone involved.

3. Choose your battles. Sometimes it is best not fight an unnecessary battle to win the war. Choose wisely. Choosing the wrong battle could be detrimental to long-term relationships at both work and home.

4. Don't hide your needs. Often when we enter a long-term relationship, we put ourselves second, behind the other person's needs and desires. As a director, you need to communicate your program's needs to key stakeholders: principal, superintendent, parents, and even students when appropriate. If you hide your needs or only keep them to yourself, you will end up frustrated. When was the last time you said, "I really need ____________ so I can support you with _______________"?

5. Don't underestimate the importance of trust and honesty. Different people have different areas of concern, but almost everyone values trust and honesty from their partner/staff above all. Why? Because these are the people you want to be able to depend upon in the long-term without question or doubt. Be aware that your delivery of the honesty is also key in developing trust. I cannot stress enough the power you have in your delivery when communicating.

Achieving Great Communication

1. Establish eye contact
2. Build trust
3. Be organized and prepared
4. Use apps to help with communication:
   • Facebook
   • Remind
   • Twitter
   • Instagram
   • LinkedIn
   • Google+
   • YouTube
   • Website
   • Newsletters
   • Email
   Buffer and Friends + Me are two great free apps that allow you to post to multiple social media platforms at one time.

With better communication in all areas of our lives, it can still feel chaotic in terms of "things" to do, but we should feel greater security and trust with the people we work and share our lives with.