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How do I get my personal life and my career to work together?
I overthink a lot and that often hurts my goals in life along with the people I want to see me achieve those goals. #job
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6 answers
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Giulia’s Answer
Hi Salma, It's totally normal to overthink things in this stage of your career, there are so many options ahead of you and it can be very overwhelming. Your question shows a lot of self awareness in what it's important for in life, balance. Our job is something we do 8/9 hours a day 5 days a week, and often we let it define who we are. I would recommend asking yourself 2 questions: 1) what will make me happy 2) Will I regret this decision? I am originally from Italy and my family lives very far, so that was a personal sacrifice I had to make, but I try to visit as much as I can and they know I am always there if they need me. I personally, always took most of the career opportunities I had because I didn't want to have any regrets, the only one I didn't take was one that would have not made me happy. I would have had to work 12 hours a day, even weekends and I knew, that my work life balance was more important than money and the cost of this career progression was too high. Remember, you will likely work for 30/40 years.. 6 months seem a lot of time now, but in the grand scheme of things, finding the right balance will allow you not to burn out and to be happy to go to work. I hope this helps, happy to chat more.
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Salma work-life balance is a tricky subject, because it varies so much person to person. Some will value their family way above all else, and will want to switch off at five o’clock each day. Others will be passionate about their career, and want to commit most of their day to it. Perhaps you’re the sort of person who likes to work in one or two hour segments throughout the day, rather than eight hours straight. It’s all about finding a system (or job) that works for you, while being sure to give yourself time to decompress. A work-life balance isn’t just about the amount of time devoted to different aspects of your life, but the quality of that time. But as long as you’ve got a clear handle on your priorities, you’re in the perfect position to find the best balance for yourself.
For many of us, however, leaving work on time is easy to say but hard to do. There is an expectation that you’ll do a certain amount of work, and won’t clock off until it’s done. When productivity is key, you need to ensure that you’re accountable for your time. Put in place a stringent time plan that will keep you focussed on what you need to be focussed on. No more wasting an hour on Facebook. You can also bring this sort of time plan into your leisure time, to ensure you’re giving enough time to each of the neglected aspects of your life. Set your illusive gym time in stone. Lock in a weekend dinner with family. Included in this should be some untouchable leisure time. There should be some portions of the week that are times when you simply don’t work, no matter how desperate the boss may be to get a hold of you. Whether it’s the weekend or past a certain hour of the day, it’s tools down no matter what.
You’re probably well-versed in the art of prioritizing family and study, but in order to obtain and retain a healthy work-life balance, you'll need to take a moment to prioritize everything. This will help you decide what things you want to make bigger priorities in life Salma.
For many of us, however, leaving work on time is easy to say but hard to do. There is an expectation that you’ll do a certain amount of work, and won’t clock off until it’s done. When productivity is key, you need to ensure that you’re accountable for your time. Put in place a stringent time plan that will keep you focussed on what you need to be focussed on. No more wasting an hour on Facebook. You can also bring this sort of time plan into your leisure time, to ensure you’re giving enough time to each of the neglected aspects of your life. Set your illusive gym time in stone. Lock in a weekend dinner with family. Included in this should be some untouchable leisure time. There should be some portions of the week that are times when you simply don’t work, no matter how desperate the boss may be to get a hold of you. Whether it’s the weekend or past a certain hour of the day, it’s tools down no matter what.
You’re probably well-versed in the art of prioritizing family and study, but in order to obtain and retain a healthy work-life balance, you'll need to take a moment to prioritize everything. This will help you decide what things you want to make bigger priorities in life Salma.
Updated
Kanu’s Answer
Hi Salma,
You can begin with having a weekly and a monthly goal. I advise you to create a schedule to achieve that goal for each day. Personally I do that and just by writing it down using a pen and a paper helps me to see what I can and I cannot do in a day. You can keep modifying your schedule weekly on the basis of what you were able to achieve and what might need more time than expected
Create a monthly goal
Create sub goal for a week for that monthly goal
Create daily schedule
Write everything using a pen and a paper
Keep modifying schedule if required
You can begin with having a weekly and a monthly goal. I advise you to create a schedule to achieve that goal for each day. Personally I do that and just by writing it down using a pen and a paper helps me to see what I can and I cannot do in a day. You can keep modifying your schedule weekly on the basis of what you were able to achieve and what might need more time than expected
Kanu recommends the following next steps:
Updated
George’s Answer
Hey Salma, everyone struggles with this problem. If you came up with a formula, you'd be the richest person in the world. So first of all don't blame yourself and most importantly, don't sit there feeling sorry for yourself.
The first key to achieving a goal (personal or professional) is to have the a goal in the first place. Define it, know what it is and what it takes to achieve it. Write is down! Then the second most important thing is to have a plan. Doesn't matter how weird or how "off" that plan may be. A bad plan is better than no plan. Don't make things too complex. Think or even dream about where you want to be in 3 to 5 years.
Next thing, Decide to have principles:
- Take care of yourself and your needs because you're the only person truly responsible for yourself. Be as healthy as you can be.
- Be reliable. As an adult, you have less room for excuses and lies. You need to be counted on by your family, friends and coworkers. Don't be the guy that's 10 mins late to everything, doesn't contribute on group projects and forgets people's birthdays.
I hope this helps. Life is a journey and lesson. You'll make mistakes but you gotta learn the lessons those mistakes teach.
Good Luck!
The first key to achieving a goal (personal or professional) is to have the a goal in the first place. Define it, know what it is and what it takes to achieve it. Write is down! Then the second most important thing is to have a plan. Doesn't matter how weird or how "off" that plan may be. A bad plan is better than no plan. Don't make things too complex. Think or even dream about where you want to be in 3 to 5 years.
Next thing, Decide to have principles:
- Take care of yourself and your needs because you're the only person truly responsible for yourself. Be as healthy as you can be.
- Be reliable. As an adult, you have less room for excuses and lies. You need to be counted on by your family, friends and coworkers. Don't be the guy that's 10 mins late to everything, doesn't contribute on group projects and forgets people's birthdays.
I hope this helps. Life is a journey and lesson. You'll make mistakes but you gotta learn the lessons those mistakes teach.
Good Luck!
Updated
Darcy’s Answer
Depending on your life goals and career goals, sometimes there's an opportunity for overlap, the more you can align these two priorities the easier it will be achieve both. There's of course many variables to consider but there are other options to 9-5 jobs too such as freelancing, entrepreneurship, or even part-time positions.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Your life and career are not mutually exclusive. You can have your personal life and a good career development.
You can do a good work life balance. It is subject to your time management. You can put down your working time in your schedule and then you can schedule in time for your personal life, e.g. doing exercise, meeting friends, family time, time for your hobbies, etc.
On the other hand, some people work in the career which is also their interest. They may choose to devote more time on their career. It is subject to everyone's own choice. There is no right or wrong.
You are the one to decide how you would like to live.
Hope this helps! Godd Luck!
You can do a good work life balance. It is subject to your time management. You can put down your working time in your schedule and then you can schedule in time for your personal life, e.g. doing exercise, meeting friends, family time, time for your hobbies, etc.
On the other hand, some people work in the career which is also their interest. They may choose to devote more time on their career. It is subject to everyone's own choice. There is no right or wrong.
You are the one to decide how you would like to live.
Hope this helps! Godd Luck!