Sarah Seaman’s Post

As we navigate the demands of our professional and personal lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of to-dos and deadlines. For me, the past few months have been a testament to that very challenge. Juggling roles as an executive assistant, business owner, wife, and mother to six wonderful children, I’ve experienced first-hand the importance of striking a balance between work and life. In the hustle of meeting both professional obligations and personal commitments, I took a step back around Christmas, pausing my series of posts on the administrative profession. This break wasn’t just a hiatus from writing; it was a necessary interlude for self-care, for reconnecting with my family, for growing our new business (Charles Moore D.Eng) and for rekindling the joy in the everyday. I constantly have to remind myself of the vital role that work-life balance plays in our lives. Disconnecting from work to immerse ourselves in moments with loved ones isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. It renews our spirit, sharpens our focus, and, makes us more productive and fulfilled in our professional roles. To my fellow administrative professionals and everyone navigating the demands of their roles: remember the power of pausing. Whether it’s stepping away from the desk to enjoy a quiet moment, dedicating time to hobbies that rejuvenate your soul, or simply being present with those who matter most, prioritizing self-care and family time is a cornerstone of true success. I will be restarting my “Admins Unleashed” series shortly. As I resume sharing insights and stories from the world of administration, I will continue explore not just the technical aspects of our profession, but also the human elements that shape our experiences. Let’s champion the practices that keep us balanced, grounded, and connected to what truly matters. To those who’ve supported my series and contributed to our ongoing conversation: thank you. Your engagement and insights are what make this journey so rewarding. Here’s to fostering environments that celebrate balance, encourage disconnection when needed, and recognize the irreplaceable value of time spent with loved ones. The picture is of my adorable and spunky 4-year old enjoying some ice cream on the beach on our family’s recent vacation. #WorkLifeBalance #SelfCare #AdministrativeProfessionals #FamilyTime #ProfessionalGrowth

The gang’s all here! If there’s one thing Simone has taught us all, it’s that mental health matters and your environment, team and support system are all big parts of that. Work culture is SUCH a big topic and there are posts ALL over LinkedIn about it. I truly believe there is a different work style for everyone. I believe there can even be different work styles for the same person. I have worked just fine in a fully remote environment and a fully in-office environment and can see the benefits of each. However, thanks to Self Esteem Brands, LLC, in this season of my professional life, I have stumbled on a few new non-negotiables that have been a game changer to my mental health and professional progress: Unified In-Office Days: Everyone comes in on the same days, creating a vibrant, efficient atmosphere for in-person meetings. No Meeting Wednesdays: This policy guarantees a day for uninterrupted focus, even if it means busier meeting days otherwise. But for this ADHD professional - if I’m in meeting mode, I rather stay there than bounce back and forth between collaboration and focus mind. Sacred Summer Fridays: When everyone values this time, it truly enhances our work-life balance. Did I think I’d honor these myself? No way. Not with my work anxiety of missing something important. Do I honor them? Very much so! I have only logged in a couple times and my rule is that it’s only for work on big idea/fun projects. No admin, no emails. Clear Direction: As an Activator, I like to think I’m good and self-pacing myself through my work and managing multiple priorities. But it’s like moving yourself vs through a moving company. Can I do it yourself, yes. But after using professional movers, the efficiency and smoothness was enough for me to never go back to doing it myself. From being the girl that was logging on to work during her honeymoon, to being fully logged off for Summer Fridays, being at SEB the last few months truly has me feeling like this picture. Supported, celebrated, and like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. #WorkCulture #SummerFridays #NoMeetingWednesdays #HybridWork

Live to work, or work to live? 🤔 I think there is a belief that if you say the latter, you are somehow less committed to your job. But I don't buy in to that... It's about balance and National Work Life Week always reminds me what’s most important in my world. I enjoy my job, and am lucky to work with a friendly and supportive team. We share a passion and drive to improve the workplace experience for companies we work with, and help people to develop and make the impact they want at work, every day… BUT, I never lose sight of what my top priorities are in my life. And I know how fortunate I am to have employers in ETS plc who afford us the flexibility to ‘have it all’. They recognise the importance of work-life balance and the value of downtime to promote better wellbeing. That’s why they give each of us 10 extra days of leave to do with as we wish! For some, it means more adventures and holidays, others use it to visit family at home or overseas, some volunteer or get extra time for their hobbies. For me at this stage in life, flexibility means never missing a school event with our kids, doing my share of pick-ups and drop-offs, cooking and having dinner as a family most weeknights and generally being around more than I would be if I was spending 12-15 hours per week commuting. No regrets, everyone... all of us only get my go at this 😊 #WorkLifeWeek #MyFlex #employeeexperience #worklifebalance #hyrbidworking Working Families / Parenting Out Loud

It's coming up to two years since we implemented a Nine Day Fortnight for our London office. 🎉 SIGWATCH is a relatively small organisation that requires significant talent and dedication from our staff, and we knew we had to offer something different to compete with the bigger London salaries of major consulting firms. Launching straight in with the 4 day week would have put too much strain on everyone's workloads and our client contact, so we opted for the nine day fortnight instead. As the FT seems to be talking about the 4 day week a lot at the moment, I thought it would be good to share our team's thoughts on our arrangement: ✅ Catalina Becerra Trujillo says "so far, it's one of the best company benefits I've had the pleasure to enjoy. It strikes the perfect balance between work and rest." ✅ David Hamon says "Our nine-day fortnight is great. It's really made a difference to my overall energy levels and ability to step away from work and focus on my own wellbeing on a regular basis. I feel that I approach my work with renewed energy and greater focus when I return. It also says something about my employer – that they are prepared to be innovative and break with convention in order to explore better ways of generating value from people, and giving back to them" ✅ Ben Warburton says "Our nine day fortnight helps in me in many ways, but most of all it’s having an extra day to unwind and sort out general life admin, freeing the rest of the weekend up. It makes me do things get out of the house & find extra things to explore and do" ✅ Max Barnes says "I love the nine-day fortnight! We work hard within our roles and having that extra day every fortnight, allows for a moment to recharge and feel energised going back into the working week. The extra day allows extra time to do the life admin tasks and to catch up with family and friends over a longer weekend." If you're interested in doing something similar in your organisation, drop me a line and I can give you more info about how we approached it! #fourdayweek #sigwatch #understandingactivism

Reflecting on my four-day work week…🧘📖 As I committed to the marketing director role at JACKS beauty line, I decided to agree to a #4daysworkingweek! Balancing work, personal growth, and family time has never felt so fulfilling. I've had the chance to dive into exciting new projects, explore new business angel opportunities here from Portugal, and even treat myself to more self-care like indulgent hot stone massages. Implementing a four-day work week has allowed me to focus on my own ideas, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and make time for personal development and mental health. It's been a game-changer for productivity and creativity. Having dedicated Fridays for mental health and education at your company will create a supportive and inspiring work environment. So I am very happy that the founders of JACKS beauty line announced today that all employees are able to dedicate some time of each Friday to their personal development, if it’s recharging your body, working on your mental health, taking on the work projects or learning new skills, they agreed to give each employee the freedom to do that each Friday. 🙏 How has a four-day work week impacted your work-life balance? Share your thoughts below! #WorkLifeIntegration #SuccessStory #4daysofwork #newwork #innovation #worklifebalance #selfdevelopment #businessangel

I took a break last week. And I spent it being wonderfully busy... because I was busy on my own terms, doing all the things I hadn’t made the time for. Not setting my alarm was just wonderful in itself. I read lots and had some wonderfully long overdue catch ups with friends. Delivered a presentation on how to navigate the hurdles in employer branding which was nerve wracking but fun! Started building out some new things for The EB Space and went to a really insightful careers website networking event. I met LinkedIn connections in real life which is always so awesome, and so good to know people properly. Had the headspace I needed to work more on my art designs and art business revamp which is finally getting there. Strolled around London with no place to be even if it was hammering it down and to top it all off I saw Hamilton (which is now my new favourite musical) 🎵 It made me think about how we switch off and this all or nothing approach to work life balance. It’s never all life or all work, it’s always a mix of the two. Whilst my week might seem busy to someone else, I feel very rested because I did what I wanted to do. My time was my own to spend. Work life harmony is what I’m going to use more. Taking breaks like this more often where I switch off in my own way. On occasion I might go away on holiday but these little breaks for me are just as valuable. A break doesn’t have to be a big holiday somewhere. A break is also you just spending your own time the way you want to spend it. Pictured: a new sloth illustration I drew last week. One of my new designs and also how I felt whilst on my break 🦥 #worklifeharmony

As we step into National Work Life Week, it's the perfect moment to pause and reflect on how well we’re balancing our professional and personal lives. ⏸️ As a mindset coach and business consultant, I encounter so many passionate individuals striving to excel in their careers while also cherishing their personal commitments. This week offers a gentle reminder to assess these priorities and ensure we're not letting one overshadow the other. 🚀 In real-life business scenarios, I’ve seen the incredible transformations that occur when companies truly commit to fostering work-life balance. It's not just about flexible hours or remote work options (although those are fantastic!); it’s about creating an environment where team members feel empowered to manage their time effectively and guiltlessly unplug when needed. 🔌 When businesses prioritise their employees' well-being, they notice a remarkable boost in productivity, creativity, and overall happiness. 🖼️ So, let’s use this week as a catalyst for conversation. Whether you're a leader or a team member, think about how you can contribute to a healthier work-life dynamic. Maybe it’s having a candid chat about expectations, or perhaps it’s about setting firmer boundaries for yourself. Either way, let’s support each other in finding that elusive balance that brings out the best in all of us. 🌟 How are you planning to make the most of National Work Life Week? Let’s share ideas and inspire each other in the comments below! 👇

🌻 Preparing your team for the summer holidays 🌻 Summer holidays are just around the corner! Ensure your team is set for a stress-free season with these top tips from The Culture Lab: By preparing, you can avoid last-minute stress and ensure those on leave feel energised while those staying are not overloaded. Let’s make this summer a productive and enjoyable time for everyone! #SummerHolidays #WorkLifeBalance #StressFree #EmployeeWellbeing #NewBeginnings #ProjectPlanning #TheCultureLab

It was just under 3 years ago that we started thinking about implementing the 4 day week. We were the first large agency of over 50 employees to do so in the UK. The company, as always was bursting with energy. So much buzz, so much fun. Below is a screenshot of when we first introduced the policy to our employees in mid 2021!... I'm not going to lie; I was apprehensive but we knew that we could trust our employees to take the responsibility seriously. And dont get me wrong. The 4 day week DOES NOT suit every person. Its not for the quiet quitters. Its certainly not for procrastinators. Its not for the coasters. You are in essence squeezing in 5 days worth of work into 4 while maintaining the exact same pay. Just more energy! In a strange way, as opposed to what you may think when you think of a 3 day weekend, its suits the energetic. The go getters. The ones who are packed with drive and ambition. The aspirational. The self motivated. And what a transformation it has been! The innovation, the quality, the pace and the results astound me every single day. Coupled with our recent Nomad policy, we have achieved a working environment that myself and Naomi could only dream of when we were in full time employment. I'm not going to lie... I'm jealous! and that makes me proud. (imagine getting that msg in your Slack completely unexpected :) ) #agency #agencylife #4dayweek #workanywhere #mentalhealth