Heard the saying, ‘We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less’?
Yes, you love your children and everything they do, and all the great things your family gets up to but sometimes too much information can come back to bite you on the proverbial. Especially in the workplace. Here’s how to make sure you don;t get stung.
1. Keep your family life at home and work at work
Don’t get fooled into thinking that because your colleagues think your daily digest of what Baby Button has done are hilarious that everyone wants to hear it. Brits are typically very polite and even when they really don’t care to hear it, your colleagues will often act like they are really interested.
Keep it to yourself and share it with your friends outside of work – life will be so much easier that way.
2. Ditch the detail
If you need a day off to attend your shouldn’t Tea Concert or Sports Day, don’t tell anyone that’s why. Ask for a day off because you have an appointment – simple. The last thing you need is to look like you’re always taking time off because of your children – that’s how resentment from other colleagues can start.
3. Learn to say ‘No!’
Agreeing to do everything because you’re under the false pretence that it makes you look committed is only going to head down one direction – failure. If you make yourself an easy target, you will be dumped on all the time.
If you’re not used to saying ‘No’, read our assertiveness guides. You can also get into the habit is saying you’ll get back to whoever is asking, or say you need to check your diary and come back to them.
4. Screen your calls
Taking personal calls at your desk for all and sundry to hear is not great – especially if it’s always the nursery or childminder. Screen calls and use text messages or emails more often (where possible). Most calls can be answered in a simple text message, meaning your colleagues don’t get to eavesdrop on all your personal calls and crises.
5. Resentment is real – get over it
So your colleagues don’t like the fact that you work from home one day a week – that is not your headache. So you finish your work by 3pm so you can leave work on time at 5pm instead of stretching work out for an extra hour to look busy like some of your other colleagues – so what?
If colleagues drop nasty comments, or make suggestions that you’re work shy, as long as you’re on top of your work, care less. Don’t let other people transfer their issues on you. Motherhood gives mum some extra skills of organisation and time management that not everyone can understand. Use it to its fullness and be proud about your efficiency.
if you work for yourself, then the same applies when speaking with clients. Stay professional at all times.
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