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prevent, Any. Disease. Hello!

1:06

And welcome to another episode of

1:08

Working Overtime Workings Bi weekly advice

1:10

focus show I'm Your Host Rattled

1:13

Young Jr. And I'm your

1:15

other host, June Thomas. So Ronald, What

1:17

are we talking about today. Origin

1:19

strap him because today's topic is

1:21

a bit of a heavy one

1:23

because I'm actually dealing with it

1:25

right now. I want to talk

1:27

about how to manage your time

1:30

when you're dealing with unexpected interruptions

1:32

to your life. For me, right

1:34

now, it's my mom. She's very

1:36

sick we ever home on hospice

1:38

care, which means that me, my

1:40

sister, and my father are taking

1:42

care of a minute to minute

1:44

make sure she's comfortable and not

1:46

feeling pain. Now this by itself

1:48

is a demanding task. Emotionally and

1:50

physically for all of us. But

1:52

what makes it even more difficult

1:54

is that the world around us

1:56

doesn't stop. And that means. Work.

1:59

Doesn't Stop. For.

2:01

Me as a freelancer mean have to

2:03

look at my schedule from day to

2:05

day, and Triads problems based on the

2:07

actual time that I have between work

2:09

and care for my mother. And this

2:11

isn't limited to eldercare. Obviously, these types

2:13

of interrupted could come up when a

2:16

child sex, or you have an unexpected

2:18

accident or injury, or even something like

2:20

a logistical issue like your house blood

2:22

or catches fire. There's so many ways

2:24

in which our lives can be interrupted

2:26

and we're still expected it's to finish

2:28

the work. So let's talk about this

2:30

for multiple. Angles tunes. First there's

2:32

the work and then there's the

2:35

care for yourself. Have you ever

2:37

experienced interruption that began to splitter?

2:39

It's had to between work and

2:41

the need that requires a response

2:43

and then care for yourself. What

2:45

does that look like for you?

2:48

Well. Well first of all, Ronald, I hope

2:50

you know that all. Of is it working

2:52

and I'm sure everyone who listens to the cell

2:54

or thinking about you and your family. And

2:57

thank you for bringing this topic to the

2:59

cell because I think it is something that

3:01

most creative people and actually most freelancers deal

3:04

with at some point and some people on

3:06

a regular basis, but we rarely talk of.

3:08

I sit in a public setting. So

3:10

thank you Thank you. I.

3:12

Have to say that I've been a very

3:15

fortunate person in so many ways and while

3:17

of course I have lost close family. Members

3:19

and had unexpected setbacks over the

3:21

course of my career. Might lay

3:23

offs. I haven't had the kind

3:25

of unplanned, life changing. Interrupt since

3:27

you're talking. About while and been

3:29

a freelancer on a smaller scale.

3:31

Though yeah, there have been times

3:33

when my carefully plan schedule has

3:35

been utterly disruptive. Buy a boat

3:37

from the blue and. This is

3:39

where I admit that. My first response. Is.

3:42

Usually to panic. And I think that

3:44

some kind of displacement technique, but the I

3:46

start to fixate and all the other people

3:48

who might be affected by my disrupt sentence,

3:51

you know that just kind of spirals. I'm

3:53

glad to say that I'm usually able to

3:55

sort of get a grip pretty quickly and

3:57

s myself okay, What? Do I need

3:59

to? Do? Here. I should also

4:01

say that I think it's okay and

4:03

actually. Very. Helpful. To

4:06

take some time to. Experience the

4:08

turmoil for those of us who

4:10

tend to push down our. Feelings

4:12

of Leads Us also called denial.

4:14

it can be. Tempting to

4:16

like, keep the focus on work rather

4:18

than the feelings the events bringing up.

4:20

That, as he said, he has to

4:22

do both. You. Have to take care of

4:25

work with at least means talking to people

4:27

so. That may be some things can

4:29

be temporarily taken off your plate, but

4:31

you also have to take care of

4:33

yourself and tend. To her

4:35

emotional health yeah at are affected.

4:37

I've been doing a generally good

4:40

job of that. It does take

4:42

some sort of balance light of

4:44

really have to.of. Manager

4:46

the guilt and shame I have from

4:48

taking time away from my family for

4:51

tasks that are simply feel like I

4:53

did done but then also kind of

4:55

manage the anxiety when I'm try to

4:57

be present with my family now while

5:00

i faked of aback by my work

5:02

is piling up at i saw myself

5:04

hard to think about work from tasked

5:06

to tasks so that when i blocks

5:08

of time between care for my mama

5:11

doing work i'm considering what tasks to

5:13

that completes in those blocks of time

5:15

was actually. Makes be a little bit more

5:17

productive. In a if I normally have two

5:19

hours to do something, I'm like stop of

5:21

the head down to be found out a

5:23

do this as opposed to say like that

5:25

the bathtub eight hours like if it's really

5:27

focused, worked in those blocks of time. But

5:30

there's two problems with the spot. One, if

5:32

I'm productive and getting work done I'm physically

5:34

body out and that had to tell myself.

5:36

but if I began to focus on the

5:38

self care aspect, I started of anxiety from

5:40

the work there to produce the pile up.

5:42

Like I said so my best friends, you

5:44

have been a compromise on both three as

5:46

the tasks. That I care deeply quickly and

5:48

take as many maps and zone out as

5:50

much as possible suspects it between. Does this

5:52

sound familiar to you? Or even valid? Oh

5:54

man. absolutely this is exactly the

5:57

kind of situations where tree ice

5:59

is essential it's made for, you know. I

6:01

also think it's important to give

6:04

ourselves grace at times like this,

6:06

which means kicking any tendencies toward

6:08

perfectionism into another universe.

6:11

You know, do what work needs to be done and nothing

6:14

more. And do whatever

6:16

you can to look after yourself and

6:18

avoid burnout. You're never going to find

6:21

a situation or a balance that makes

6:23

you feel good. That's

6:25

impossible. But just getting

6:27

through, honestly, is I think all you

6:29

can hope for here. And I wish I had

6:31

a, you know, a more upbeat sentiment there, but

6:33

I think you're doing great. Well, I appreciate that.

6:35

I think the saying goes, you can't pour from

6:38

an empty cup. Yes. There's

6:43

more to dive into with unexpected interruptions

6:45

and we'll talk about them after the

6:48

break. This

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8:56

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8:58

touch, share your advice, share your questions.

9:00

You can email us at workingatslate.com or

9:02

even better, you can call us and

9:04

leave a message at 304-933-9675. That's

9:10

304-933-WORK. And

9:17

we're back. June, I know you've been

9:19

in management before. Have you ever had to

9:21

manage someone who has had an unexpected interruption

9:23

like this? And how did you respond as

9:25

a manager? What do you think

9:27

the responsibility of a manager or client is

9:29

for someone experiencing something like this? I

9:32

have, and honestly, I didn't

9:35

always feel great about how I dealt with

9:37

my direct reports who were experiencing the kind

9:40

of pain that you're talking about.

9:42

There are also two, well, maybe

9:45

I should say at least two

9:47

considerations in this relationship. On

9:50

one hand, you care about the people that

9:52

you manage. You want to help

9:54

them get through a tough time. You

9:56

wanna help them find ways to heal. And...

10:00

You are also responsible. For making

10:02

sure work. Gets done. That doesn't mean

10:04

the person who's dealing with a major life

10:07

event has to do it. But you do

10:09

have to cigarette a plan to get it done.

10:12

Because. I know that some

10:14

people prefer. To work rather than sit

10:17

with their troubles. On a couple of

10:19

occasions I have my reports. Do

10:21

you need to take time off? Or would you

10:23

rather work through it? And in the

10:25

situations I'm thinking of, one person said they

10:27

needed time off. On one person

10:29

said they could work through it

10:32

on reflection. I probably shouldn't. Have

10:34

us and said just have said you need

10:36

to take time off We would have needed

10:38

to do a bit a tree are saying

10:40

it wouldn't exist in a miraculous the gun

10:42

away but we could have figured out what

10:44

really needs to be done. What does a

10:46

person who will cover the has to happen

10:48

work need to know So we could have

10:50

gone through that process and taken it off

10:53

their plate. But. You know, in

10:55

a staffing situation where there should

10:57

always be some backup and. Some

10:59

looseness in place because people are gonna

11:01

take vacations for sure. You

11:03

really should be at least semi

11:06

prepared for this kind of situation.

11:08

It is different when you're dealing

11:10

with freelancers, though. Yeah I

11:12

figure there's the idea of of really

11:14

deciding what an emergency is when it

11:16

comes to work because like when it

11:18

comes our lives we know what's important

11:20

a we can all relate to what's

11:22

important to one another as well. There's

11:24

a way which like somebody and I

11:26

wouldn't fit or like a pet dying

11:28

or of very traumatic breakups to be

11:30

unexpected and or upsets were of yeah

11:32

it is going to pull my focus

11:35

from work or market be able to

11:37

give you the best because I am

11:39

in Greece or for some reason and

11:41

I think. Like try the cops

11:43

The to what of work is an

11:45

emergency at? How do we respond as

11:47

a team to that emergency meeting? Lives?

11:49

Are we picking a bet? Slack is

11:51

incredibly importance and I've taken a lot

11:54

of situations or jobs are not set

11:56

up to deal with interruptions. Like

11:58

you said, I'm personally. Freelancer which to stay

12:01

Play Me Hear me if if I

12:03

don't work out debate. This is so

12:05

what I think about the break taking

12:07

options between myself, my dad and my

12:09

sister, I'm thinking about what types of

12:11

support do our jobs give us to

12:13

actually see the issues we face away

12:15

from work without being worried about losing

12:17

income. I'm of earth once I'm I

12:19

had a coworker who's suffered a personal

12:21

tragedy and unfortunately the rest of the

12:23

teams on a deadline. What Does Met

12:25

was rather than our client or the

12:27

employer taken a hit on behalf of

12:30

the individuals. Many of us

12:32

as individuals had the big personal

12:34

sacrifices to cover for my coworker

12:36

which I knew was necessary at

12:38

the time, but that feels unfair

12:41

to ask of individuals as typically

12:43

individuals have the least to share

12:45

a and and addresses me juri

12:47

political or Beats For the logistical

12:49

standpoint, the client or employer typically

12:52

has the rains and the most

12:54

capacity for wiggle room with regards

12:56

to deadlines I feel like I'm

12:58

describing and a possible. Scenario would you

13:00

would you say top Help me out here. Matt.

13:03

there's no getting around. It is

13:05

tough. You know pretty much every

13:07

business, that, especially the businesses we

13:09

were kids, Media, the arts. They're

13:11

on a very tight budget. It's

13:13

hard to provide the kind of

13:15

backup were talking about, but I

13:17

also think it's. Important to

13:19

be honest about what you need

13:22

is and manager or your collaborator.

13:24

It's going to be stretched because

13:26

you need to take some time.

13:28

Us yes, almost certainly said. Even

13:30

apart from emotional and mental health

13:33

concerns about the person who's dealing

13:35

with an unexpected silenced by a

13:37

cold, I did calculation as he

13:39

said before, a company isn't likely.

13:41

To get the very best work from

13:44

someone says going through a really. Really

13:46

tough time. So and this is

13:48

my other things. It's really easy

13:50

to say but I do think

13:52

a freelancer said said hey, listen

13:54

I know this is at the

13:56

Blue. I know this is gonna

13:58

create difficulties, but I really. The to

14:00

take a break for and then whatever

14:02

period of time Know. I know it's

14:05

almost impossible to know when exactly you'll

14:07

be in a better place, but it

14:09

will really help. The person to get

14:11

coverage is the at least have some

14:14

sense of how long you think you'll

14:16

need to be aware. so. Honestly,

14:19

Have I ever spoken up in

14:21

that situation? Though do I say

14:23

fear factor? I said so. I think

14:25

it's a good thing to do. I

14:28

do. but. Again, we're talking about what do

14:30

we need. You do have to sit with yourself and

14:32

figure what do I need? What do I need to

14:34

be able to come out of this in the best

14:36

possible shape? And sometimes. You need to take

14:38

a break. I love that transparency of

14:40

separate I've ever done. but the I'll

14:43

be doing. This is a really good idea

14:45

I've never done at the snow. Or to

14:47

relate to that release of having not done it

14:49

myself. Would

14:53

we got bad? Let's talk about

14:55

solutions to manage ourselves and our

14:57

worked at a productive way When

14:59

we experience those unexpected interruptions. When.

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16:09

listeners and Christina Ricci is the host of

16:11

Flow, Burn, Gaze against Bread. I want to

16:14

tell you about a special event Where Healing

16:16

at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York

16:18

City on June thirteenth. To celebrate

16:20

the new season of slow Burn and

16:23

Pride Month will be hosting an exclusive

16:25

taping of the show with special guests

16:27

including Eric Marcus. The hopes of making

16:29

gay history. Will. Dive deeper into

16:31

the season and talk about the lasting

16:33

impact of the Briggs Initiative and the

16:35

continued fight over Lgbtq rights and school.

16:38

Plus. Will share some behind the

16:40

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tape from the season. It'll be

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it again. That's June thirteenth at the

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16:56

City. You can get tickets now at

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Tribeca film.com Flash slow. Hope to see

17:00

their. Listeners

17:08

I. Just want to remind you

17:10

that if you are enjoying working overtime,

17:13

please follow us so that you never

17:15

miss an episode. If you listen on

17:17

Apple podcasts we would love you to

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rate for review the show. It really

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if overcast is your app of choice

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please hit the star to recommend the

17:28

episode to others. Okay,

17:30

we're back. June. Let's

17:33

talk about individual solutions first about do

17:35

you think there's a clear or better

17:37

strategy for managing your life? Would interruptions

17:39

strike? I'm over here. Triads and issues.

17:41

but do you have a way to

17:44

to think works for you. Know,

17:47

I think you're doing what can be

17:49

done. I think you got it. Breaking

17:51

the things on your work.it, down into

17:53

a series of small steps. I'm figuring

17:55

which things are essential, which things, if

17:58

any, can be postponed and will. He

18:00

just my have to stop doing for a while. Also.

18:03

I would say is there are things

18:05

that bring you joy and are relatively

18:07

simple to achieve. Do. Them your

18:10

calculations don't have to be

18:12

based exclusively on importance. Or

18:14

whether it's ask is part of a

18:16

critical path. Is this a thing you

18:18

just get a kick out of and

18:20

you can still make it happen? Do

18:22

that. That will be good for your

18:24

mental health. I also think it's helpful

18:27

to share what's going on with the

18:29

people you collaborate with. I don't mean

18:31

that you are obliged to over sheriff's

18:33

but is without going into more details

18:35

and you're comfortable with. You feel able

18:37

to let your collaborators clients people who

18:39

are waiting on a piece of writing

18:41

or something else from you that you

18:43

are experiencing. A serious light is and

18:46

and that you're going to have to

18:48

be a little less present for a

18:50

certain period. That would be helpful. Most

18:52

people are kind and they understand that

18:54

the people they worked with are humans

18:56

who's physical or mental health matters they

18:59

want to help. and the earlier you

19:01

can. Ask for help The Besser

19:03

Okay Junior, Protect advice for yourself

19:05

as well as sector out or

19:07

I outsiders at every really were

19:09

pretty good advice from there when

19:11

I also be greedy to be

19:13

imaginative in the ways that employers

19:15

can support folks that are dealing

19:17

with unexpected interactions. because even though

19:19

I've been using the word eruption

19:21

for me it's started or opposite

19:23

of it's my mom is not.

19:25

It's not a work stoppage, are

19:27

really up to spend time sitting

19:29

down and thinking about her. Sig

19:31

about it in this way means

19:34

that while most businesses prioritize what

19:36

they think is worthy of addressing

19:38

adequately, the truth is it matters

19:40

to your employees well being. As.

19:43

If it matters to your employees well

19:45

being it should matter to employers are

19:47

healthy. Employee isn't just about physical needs

19:49

but also the most movies so perhaps

19:52

that's where we begin. Speaking of way

19:54

for businesses and all of us of

19:56

people who hire of people to address

19:58

them emotional needs of the people working

20:00

with and for us So dude looks

20:03

a dream hear what would be your

20:05

approach If you could wave a wand

20:07

to solve for unexpected interruption for employees

20:09

what would that look like. It.

20:12

Would obviously be fantastic if

20:14

we all felt less scared

20:16

about the possibility of losing

20:18

gigs of losing jobs. Because

20:20

the science works at her

20:22

usual. Pays when something huge is

20:24

happening in our lives. It would be

20:27

great if there were more flexibility of

20:29

all kinds built into every single. Person

20:31

situation. However, I

20:34

think this is a good reminder of the

20:36

realities of being a freelancer. I know

20:38

we don't all choose this option. Some

20:40

people would love a staff job and haven't

20:42

been able to. Find. Once. But

20:45

there are also people who. Prefer

20:47

to be in control of their

20:49

careers or to prioritize creativity. In

20:51

a way that wouldn't be possible in a

20:54

staff positions. Some aspects of that choice. A

20:56

pretty clear. He. Does have a four

20:58

o one k. you don't get paid

21:00

time off and unless it's been written to

21:02

your contracts and there is loose institutional support

21:04

when. Something like this comes up because

21:07

you aren't and employees. That doesn't mean

21:09

he shouldn't go freelance, but it is

21:11

definitely something that should be part of

21:13

the can I handle freelance life calculus,

21:15

so I think we might be. Actually

21:19

educating. People at their. Like

21:21

this. Is part of the three landslide

21:23

so to speak? Aware of it and. Honestly,

21:26

Sucks. It's. Work

21:28

that is about and I think it's

21:30

a probably feels more uncertain as a

21:32

freelancer to say my favorite emergency happens.

21:34

You really are Didn't have a plan

21:36

for this but I also feel comfortable

21:38

saying white people that aren't freelancers you

21:40

should be fit to drop this as

21:42

well be as one day you'll just

21:44

be soon after desk with a full

21:46

time job, salary and benefits to up

21:48

the computer screen saying that I just

21:50

can't do this right now and maybe

21:52

I don't have the leaves turn to

21:54

really just go off and do nothing

21:56

And I said that employers. Really need to

21:58

be picky about what is. Like that, Give

22:01

people a real estate benevolently package

22:03

or some real estate time away

22:05

from work in order for people

22:07

to rest and retards for. Yeah,

22:09

I appreciate you talkin' with me

22:11

about the soon as have been

22:13

helpful. Oh my goodness Ronald. As

22:15

I said, thinking about you. Let

22:18

it is Now You need anything. I present

22:20

bet. That's

22:23

all the time we have for this

22:25

episodes. But let me leave you with

22:27

one last piece of advice. I think

22:29

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23:02

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here on working. Thanks as always

23:10

to working overtime producers haven't been

23:12

this and to our series producer

23:14

Tavern Druze. Will be back on

23:16

Sunday with a brand new episode

23:19

of working and in two weeks

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we'll have another working overtime. Until

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then, subtract of work.