Being at the top requires being away from the people and family for long preiods of time. Moreover, at that height the support system lags a little. There is interaction, but mostly related to business. These are the discussions you cannot have with friends or people in your family. Chances are that they will not comprehend it and cannot give you the required solace, comfort, or advise. Moreover, there may be things that you may not be able to discuss with an outsider. So, the question is where do you find someone who can peovide you the reuired solace?
It is good to understand that it is like a pressure cooker being in the position. We are bursting but we need to keep our calm and cool, and behave in a certain way which is considered appropriate. You are not able to vent out your pressure and frustrations in that setting. So what can you do to maintain your sanity, and being able to function like a human when you are on the top.
Couple of things:
Remember that at the end of the day you are a human being and not a machine or a commodity. Do forgive yourself for a little improperiety if that happens, even if somebody reminds you that it was not appropriate.
Create a culture where you can talk to somebody heart to heart to discuss some of your personal concerns with somebody who is in a completely listening mode. You will be able to pour your heart out with that person. Hire a psychoanalyst if necessary.
Create a group outside of your company where you can meet over a cup of coffee and discuss some of your personal issues. These are likeminded people who can be from apart the company that you work in. Make it a point to meet reguarly, even if it is once a month. Talk about things about your business that you can, or few things that are not a part of your business.
Have a buddy group of your peers and meet often so that you can share some of your pain points, business or personal, and get advise on them. In case they cannot, at least try to figure out whom to meet to find a solution for some of the peoblems and concerns.
It is a fact that if things are not right within your family, it will weigh down on you and can affect your performance and peace of mind. If we can make it a habit to talk to our immediate family often, let’s say for five to ten minutes once or twice a day so that things are in order there. Children are more impacted so do find some time to call them often.
Remember to set a time when you will call your day off. There may be urgencies and exigencies, but a better time management can help you meet all of them and still maintain your routine in most of the cases.
Make it a point to tell your peers and juniors at what times you will be available for meetings. Set the expectations right, and try to maintain that so that they understand that you are not available 24/7.
Be aware of the triggers that tell you that it is time to take a break and have some rest. It may not be too often but sometime when you can have a little time off, and timeoff should mean keeping that mobile and laptop switched off. One of the times when you can relax is while you are travelling. Enjoy the ride, interact with people and staff around you, and just relax. Call your family if you can.
It is good point to remember how to handle your failures big and small. Taking things personally will not help much. Remedy the situation if you can, or else make up your mind about what will be your next course of action. Think about the worst possible scenarios that you may encounter in any situation and what is it that you will do about them.
And last but not the least, see that you have done enough and if required take a decision to make a move within the same company, or ourside of it where you have more time to relax, and maybe follow some of your hobbies, and be with your family.
These are some points I could think of. If you have any other concerns, do write to your buddy at sumit@gmx.com.
Have a nice day, and move along.