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In our after-hours feature today, we were wondering what your “after-hours system” is, that is, if you even have one! What do we mean by an “after-hours system”(as you’ll notice, we have a bunch of “corporate sister-isms”, or more or less corny catchy phrases that more or less capture the essence of our uber-busy, overpacked existences).
So back to the “after-hours system”! In other words, once we real corporate sisters get home after a hopefully productive, definitely grueling day at the office, do we have a well-oiled, engineered system to get us through our personal, family and house-related tasks effectively and efficiently? Or do we just go through the motions, barely making it through the evening, before (un-graciously) collapsing in bed? And why would we even need a system? Aren’t we just wired to perform perfectly at work, and follow up with a comparably stellar performance at home, maybe even fitting some beautifying fitness in the mix? Right? Wrong!
After years of drowning under the pressures and demands of work and home, I’ve decided I simply can’t keep pretending I’ve got it all under control. Judging by the overflowing laundry baskets, makeshift menus and “forgotten” doctors’ appointments, I needed a system! And frankly, the prospect of spending sunny week-ends creatively expanding my family’s clean clothing options, not so appealing!
So instead of going through the motions and delaying the inevitable, I pulled out my smartphone, gathered my team family and got to work! Sundays andTuesdays are Cooking days (read 30-minute meals), while Mondays and Wednesday evenings are laundry nights. The rest of the nights are for leftovers, and ordering out. And Friday night is family night, so no chores whatsoever, even if the sink is piled up with dishes or we have to come up with makeshift pajamas…It is what it is… And when late nights at work, kids’ recitals or emergency grocery runs come to disrupt the “system”, we take a deep breath and compromise!
Do we stick to the “system” on a consistent basis? Hmmm….we do our best, let’s put it that way. Yet one thing is for sure, we’ve regained a good chunk of our week-ends, and we feel a tad bit less underwater…
Do you have an “after-hours” system?
The Corporate Sister.
