July Program Recap

“Finding Your #FPRAbalance: A Little PR-spective.”
Thursday, July 19, 2018/11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Florida Sheriffs Association

Presented by One Fresh Pillow

Top Takeaways

  • Make the most of all FPRA has to offer
  • There’s a chasm between the public’s perception of public relations and the true nature of the industry
  • Empower your employees
  • It’s okay to say, “No.”
  • Don’t miss the big moments

Recap

Work-life balance. It’s the new hot topic among lifestyle bloggers, business professionals, and even within the American Psychological Association. The likes of Sheryl Sandberg and Jeff Bezos have also weighed in on the importance of this most elusive of philosophies. For instance, the billionaire founder of Amazon claims that he never sets an alarm. That’s great for Jeff, but not so practical for the rest of us. In an around-the-clock profession such as PR, how do we achieve harmony between our professional and personal spheres?

On Thursday, July 19, FPRA President Ryan Gerds, APR, CPRC, joined members of the Capital Chapter to discuss work-life balance in the world of PR, and how to go about achieving it.

Contrary to public perception, PR is composed of countless roles with no two days the same. Gerds discussed the constant balancing act PR pros play in the workplace alone: the latest trends vs. traditional PR, the importance of productivity and time management, and the necessity of good old-fashioned research. According to Gerds’ presentation, current research suggests that 80% of the workday is dedicated to meetings, phone calls, and emails, while only 20% of the day is expended on strategy. Talk about imbalance.

The question remains, how do we find stasis at work, at home, and between the two? Gerds stressed the importance of time management, prioritization, and delegation:

  1. Set aside time for strategy and research
  2. Set aside time for routine tasks
  3. Embrace structure and procedure
  4. Empower your employees – ask, “What would you do?”
  5. It’s okay to say, “No” or “I’ll get back to you.”

In concluding his presentation, Gerds had one final piece of advice: “Don’t miss the big moments.” Whatever those moments are for you, do not let them pass you by.

Work-life balance is an important topic, especially within the profession. Time management, prioritization, and delegation are all beneficial tactics in helping us achieve equilibrium in the workplace and at home.

Finally, don’t let the search for perfect balance become another source of stress. If the scales seem tipped to one side occasionally, that’s okay. After all, you can achieve balance on one leg…just know when it’s time to switch off.

For photos of the event, check out our Facebook page.

-Kelly Corder, Director of Communications, Florida Commission on Offender Review (Member Since 2017)