13 answers
Aidan
Student
Newburyport
1
Question
Updated
972 views
How does one maintain a healthy work/life balance so that the demands of a career or academic goal do not stifle other passions?
I have always had a desire to acquire a deeper understanding of our natural world and its living processes at a molecular level. I am applying to college to pursue Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, with the hope of one day attending graduate school or even taking the Medical sciences route. I know that this will be a challenging endeavor and I am fearful that the workload and long hours will dampen my passion for Science or even stifle other areas of my life that I treasure, like my friendships, sailing and playing hockey. How do professionals maintain that healthy balance so that their studies or jobs do not become their whole identities?
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13 answers
Elizabeth (Betsy) Kvedar, CPTD®
Learning Consultant
75
Answers
Shelburne, New York
Updated
Elizabeth (Betsy)’s Answer
Hey Aidan,
It's wonderful to see you contemplating the wide-reaching effects of your decisions and how they might shape your future. This is a crucial step, as it empowers you to establish boundaries. Despite the inevitable changes in life, acknowledging that you have a degree of control over your destiny can make the journey smoother. There will be times when you're swamped with tasks and leisure seems like a distant dream. During such phases, I make it a point to earmark certain days on the calendar exclusively for enjoyment. I also mark the expected end of a busy period, reminding myself that nothing lasts forever.
Allocating even a small amount of time and space in your schedule for a breather is essential. This could be a visit to your family, a day of relaxation, or engaging in an activity that brings you joy. Remember, we all need to pause, reconnect with our loved ones, and recharge our batteries. So, don't overlook this need.
Best of luck!
It's wonderful to see you contemplating the wide-reaching effects of your decisions and how they might shape your future. This is a crucial step, as it empowers you to establish boundaries. Despite the inevitable changes in life, acknowledging that you have a degree of control over your destiny can make the journey smoother. There will be times when you're swamped with tasks and leisure seems like a distant dream. During such phases, I make it a point to earmark certain days on the calendar exclusively for enjoyment. I also mark the expected end of a busy period, reminding myself that nothing lasts forever.
Allocating even a small amount of time and space in your schedule for a breather is essential. This could be a visit to your family, a day of relaxation, or engaging in an activity that brings you joy. Remember, we all need to pause, reconnect with our loved ones, and recharge our batteries. So, don't overlook this need.
Best of luck!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I think you're right about carving out time for rest and hobbies and not to expect that to happen organically. Thanks again!
Aidan
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Aidan!
Achieving a harmonious balance between your professional or academic pursuits and your personal life is key to feeling fulfilled and content. This is particularly true for someone like you, with a burning enthusiasm for science and an appreciation for other life's pleasures, such as friendships, hobbies, and sports. Here are some tips to help you strike that perfect balance as you chase your dreams in the field of biochemistry/molecular biology:
Mastering Time Management: The art of managing time effectively is vital to juggling your academic or professional duties with your passions. Organize your tasks, setting aside specific times for studying, research, and other academic work. Don't forget to also schedule time for things that make you happy, like sailing, playing hockey, or hanging out with friends. By using your time wisely, you can ensure your studies don't overshadow other important parts of your life.
Creating Boundaries: Draw a clear line between your work or study time and personal time. Stay focused on your academic tasks, avoiding distractions. On the flip side, when you're enjoying your leisure time, try to switch off from work-related worries. These boundaries will allow you to fully enjoy different parts of your life without feeling overwhelmed.
Prioritizing Self-Care: Make self-care a priority to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. Regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and a healthy diet are key to keeping your energy levels high and managing stress. Consider adding mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises to your daily routine to boost mental clarity and reduce anxiety linked to academic or professional pressures.
Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with friends, family, mentors, and colleagues who understand the importance of a balanced life. A strong support system can offer encouragement during tough times and remind you of the joy of pursuing varied interests outside of your academic or professional life.
Being Flexible and Adaptable: Understand that achieving a healthy work-life balance is a continuous process that may need adjustments based on changing circumstances. Be willing to adapt your schedule and priorities as needed to tackle new challenges or opportunities, ensuring every aspect of your life gets the attention it deserves.
By following these strategies, you can work towards achieving a healthy work-life balance while pursuing your academic and career goals in biochemistry/molecular biology.
Here are the Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications:
Harvard Business Review
Mayo Clinic
American Psychological Association
Check out my BIO for tips on how to optimize your nutrient intake through food, without the need for pills, stimulants, sugar, alcohol, etc. B complex vitamins play a crucial role in the neurological functions of the brain in academic work. Minerals like magnesium and zinc are needed too for an effective mind psychologically. By optimizing your nutrient intake, you can potentially double your study effectiveness per hour, which could lead to higher grades. I practice this too, and it allows me to work productively even on weekends! But don't worry, you won't have to work that hard! At 66 years old, I can still program effectively after 51 years!
Stay blessed,
James.
Achieving a harmonious balance between your professional or academic pursuits and your personal life is key to feeling fulfilled and content. This is particularly true for someone like you, with a burning enthusiasm for science and an appreciation for other life's pleasures, such as friendships, hobbies, and sports. Here are some tips to help you strike that perfect balance as you chase your dreams in the field of biochemistry/molecular biology:
Mastering Time Management: The art of managing time effectively is vital to juggling your academic or professional duties with your passions. Organize your tasks, setting aside specific times for studying, research, and other academic work. Don't forget to also schedule time for things that make you happy, like sailing, playing hockey, or hanging out with friends. By using your time wisely, you can ensure your studies don't overshadow other important parts of your life.
Creating Boundaries: Draw a clear line between your work or study time and personal time. Stay focused on your academic tasks, avoiding distractions. On the flip side, when you're enjoying your leisure time, try to switch off from work-related worries. These boundaries will allow you to fully enjoy different parts of your life without feeling overwhelmed.
Prioritizing Self-Care: Make self-care a priority to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. Regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and a healthy diet are key to keeping your energy levels high and managing stress. Consider adding mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises to your daily routine to boost mental clarity and reduce anxiety linked to academic or professional pressures.
Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with friends, family, mentors, and colleagues who understand the importance of a balanced life. A strong support system can offer encouragement during tough times and remind you of the joy of pursuing varied interests outside of your academic or professional life.
Being Flexible and Adaptable: Understand that achieving a healthy work-life balance is a continuous process that may need adjustments based on changing circumstances. Be willing to adapt your schedule and priorities as needed to tackle new challenges or opportunities, ensuring every aspect of your life gets the attention it deserves.
By following these strategies, you can work towards achieving a healthy work-life balance while pursuing your academic and career goals in biochemistry/molecular biology.
Here are the Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications:
Harvard Business Review
Mayo Clinic
American Psychological Association
Check out my BIO for tips on how to optimize your nutrient intake through food, without the need for pills, stimulants, sugar, alcohol, etc. B complex vitamins play a crucial role in the neurological functions of the brain in academic work. Minerals like magnesium and zinc are needed too for an effective mind psychologically. By optimizing your nutrient intake, you can potentially double your study effectiveness per hour, which could lead to higher grades. I practice this too, and it allows me to work productively even on weekends! But don't worry, you won't have to work that hard! At 66 years old, I can still program effectively after 51 years!
Stay blessed,
James.
Thank you so much for your insight. I appreciate your time and words alleviating some of my fears and reservations about WLB. I will definitely use the resources your cited.
Aidan
Ross Bailey
Sr. Associate Athletic Director at Texas Christian University
10
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ross’s Answer
I’m a big fan of creating priority “boxes” on my notepad where I prioritize items into one of 4 priority boxes. The A or #1 box gets my immediate attention, the #4 D box is a very low priority for me. This allows me to set priorities that include “me” time. Any job or life will have fluid times where the priorities change but if you have no system, how do you really prioritize?
Thank you for your pragmatic response. I appreciate all the tips I can get!
Aidan
Carlos Santiago Villeda
Consulting
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Carlos Santiago’s Answer
The optimal way to achieve a harmonious work-life balance is by pursuing what you're passionate about. When you truly enjoy what you do, it ceases to feel like a chore and becomes a part of your lifestyle. This approach allows you to indulge in your favorite pastime, something you already dedicate time to, making your life more fulfilling!
Thank you so much for your reply. I hope that will be true as I continue down the medical path. :)
Aidan
Jessica Han
Consulting
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
This is always a tricky endeavor that is constantly shifting.
I think one of the most important things is to remember that your happiness and health should always come first. There will always be more work.
One way to create a bit of balance is to consciously set aside time for the things you love. You might be tempted to put them off because you have other work that "needs" to get done. Be kind to yourself and give yourself that grace to enjoy the things you love and protect that time for yourself. You will be happier, feel more fulfilled, and be reenergized and ready to get back into your work.
Best of luck! And enjoy your journey :)
I think one of the most important things is to remember that your happiness and health should always come first. There will always be more work.
One way to create a bit of balance is to consciously set aside time for the things you love. You might be tempted to put them off because you have other work that "needs" to get done. Be kind to yourself and give yourself that grace to enjoy the things you love and protect that time for yourself. You will be happier, feel more fulfilled, and be reenergized and ready to get back into your work.
Best of luck! And enjoy your journey :)
Thank you for your honest reply. I hope to become disciplined in prioritizing my health above all. I know it will be challenging but I know that my future happiness and fulfillment will rely on it.
Aidan
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a good question on time management. Firstly, you may find a time management that can help you, e.g. Google Calendar, Phone Calendar, MS Outlook, etc.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Allocate some time everyday for your assignment, projects, etc. Do some revision on the class material daily. You can take 5-10 min break for every 1.5 - 2 hours
3. You can then allocate some time for your leisure, e.g. explore the nature, etc. and friends & family gathering, etc.
4. Make sure you have sufficient time to sleep and do some exercise
You can not need to fill up your schedule completely. You can keep some 'me' time for reflection and relax.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Allocate some time everyday for your assignment, projects, etc. Do some revision on the class material daily. You can take 5-10 min break for every 1.5 - 2 hours
3. You can then allocate some time for your leisure, e.g. explore the nature, etc. and friends & family gathering, etc.
4. Make sure you have sufficient time to sleep and do some exercise
You can not need to fill up your schedule completely. You can keep some 'me' time for reflection and relax.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Thank you for your practical tips! This is truly helpful!
Aidan
Alfonso Carrillo
Consultant
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Alfonso’s Answer
Hey Aiden!
I trust you're doing well. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is not just a challenge you'll encounter during your academic journey, but it's also a significant aspect of your future professional life. It's crucial to foster positive relationships with your teachers, colleagues, managers, and others, depending on your situation. Open communication is key in setting clear boundaries concerning your work-life balance.
Remember, while it's essential to meet your responsibilities and obligations, it's equally important to find a balance that's beneficial for you. This balance will enable you to pursue your passions while also meeting the expectations at school or work.
To give you a better idea, let me share how I manage my work-life balance in my current consulting job:
- At the start of a new project, I always make sure to discuss my work preferences with my manager. Here are a few examples:
- I prefer not to start my workday earlier than 9am as I like to exercise before diving into work-related tasks.
- I've set aside two hours on Thursday evenings for my soccer team's tournament. However, I'm available before and after the game.
- I aim to wrap up my work at a reasonable time on Fridays to spend quality time with my partner or friends.
- When I was preparing for my MBA application, I blocked out 1-2 hours during the day to focus solely on the applications, ensuring it wouldn't impact my work performance.
I hope these examples provide some helpful insights for managing your daily life.
I trust you're doing well. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is not just a challenge you'll encounter during your academic journey, but it's also a significant aspect of your future professional life. It's crucial to foster positive relationships with your teachers, colleagues, managers, and others, depending on your situation. Open communication is key in setting clear boundaries concerning your work-life balance.
Remember, while it's essential to meet your responsibilities and obligations, it's equally important to find a balance that's beneficial for you. This balance will enable you to pursue your passions while also meeting the expectations at school or work.
To give you a better idea, let me share how I manage my work-life balance in my current consulting job:
- At the start of a new project, I always make sure to discuss my work preferences with my manager. Here are a few examples:
- I prefer not to start my workday earlier than 9am as I like to exercise before diving into work-related tasks.
- I've set aside two hours on Thursday evenings for my soccer team's tournament. However, I'm available before and after the game.
- I aim to wrap up my work at a reasonable time on Fridays to spend quality time with my partner or friends.
- When I was preparing for my MBA application, I blocked out 1-2 hours during the day to focus solely on the applications, ensuring it wouldn't impact my work performance.
I hope these examples provide some helpful insights for managing your daily life.
Thank you for your response, Alfonso. I love your pragmatic approach to setting boundaries and prioritizing downtime and non-work-related activities.
Aidan
Leo Agnihotri
Consultant
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Leo’s Answer
Hey Aidan,
There's no perfect answer here - as you go through life and your career you will make compromises as it's truly difficult to "have it all". This is not to say that you'll be forever unhappy - but rather as you go through life your priorities and interests will shift and you'll have to reconcile which you want to promote/continue.
As you think about your career going forward, I'd think about the following factors:
- Content: is the topic and the knowledge you're building interesting?
- Lifestyle: can your chosen profession/career support the lifestyle that you want to achieve?
- Working style: what are the day-to-day realities of working in this position? e.g., if you get energy from working with people frequently, science lab work might not be the best fit (although it definitely has collaborative elements!)
- Fulfillment: what would make you feel fulfilled at your job? Is it having an impact on the world? is it being able to mentor people so that they can be successful? Or is it tackling tough problems that are fun to solve?
You'll have to figure out your own answers to each of these factors - and if you don't know the answer yet that's fine! Reach out to people in these fields to answer your pending questions and use platforms like this to keep digging deeper into the topic.
Best of luck!
There's no perfect answer here - as you go through life and your career you will make compromises as it's truly difficult to "have it all". This is not to say that you'll be forever unhappy - but rather as you go through life your priorities and interests will shift and you'll have to reconcile which you want to promote/continue.
As you think about your career going forward, I'd think about the following factors:
- Content: is the topic and the knowledge you're building interesting?
- Lifestyle: can your chosen profession/career support the lifestyle that you want to achieve?
- Working style: what are the day-to-day realities of working in this position? e.g., if you get energy from working with people frequently, science lab work might not be the best fit (although it definitely has collaborative elements!)
- Fulfillment: what would make you feel fulfilled at your job? Is it having an impact on the world? is it being able to mentor people so that they can be successful? Or is it tackling tough problems that are fun to solve?
You'll have to figure out your own answers to each of these factors - and if you don't know the answer yet that's fine! Reach out to people in these fields to answer your pending questions and use platforms like this to keep digging deeper into the topic.
Best of luck!
Thank you so much for your advice. This is very helpful. Looks like I will constantly have to reevaluate my priorities throughout my studies and career to find fulfillment but that's ok. :)
Aidan
Aditi Kannan
Management Consulting
26
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
Aditi’s Answer
Hi Aidan. I am someone that easily gets pulled in different directions, so it works for me to 'timebox' my day in a physical planner. Timebox everything - cooking, cleaning, eating, walks, workouts, study time by subject, homework by class (i.e. don't write "do homework", instead mark 30 minutes and mark "problem set for calc 2"). Make sure to carve time for everything important to you, and you will find that each day, you are living the way you want to.
You can either do this first thing each morning, the previous night, or in the evening when you get home from classes and have the whole rest of the day ahead of you and unscheduled.
You can either do this first thing each morning, the previous night, or in the evening when you get home from classes and have the whole rest of the day ahead of you and unscheduled.
Thank you so much for your honest response. It is reassuring to know that this is not a struggle that is unique but it's widely experienced by most professionals.
Aidan
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
607
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I think the answer is unique for each person. I self motivated myself by writing down the life of wanted and knowing that the more effort I invested in myself, the better likelihood I’d get there.
It will 100% feel daunting at times. I honestly cried myself to sleep on night while getting my MBA, BUT it ends up being a small portion of your life and it will not last forever. Pace yourself, be aware of how you are doing and know there irate study groups and organizations that are vested in you succeeding. Get help if you need it. Wishing you the best!
It will 100% feel daunting at times. I honestly cried myself to sleep on night while getting my MBA, BUT it ends up being a small portion of your life and it will not last forever. Pace yourself, be aware of how you are doing and know there irate study groups and organizations that are vested in you succeeding. Get help if you need it. Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much for your honest and vulnerable response. I appreciate your kind words and hope to stay motivated in my studies but prioritize my mental health above all.
Aidan
Emmanuel Sunday
Freelancer
3
Answers
Enugu, Nigeria
Updated
Emmanuel’s Answer
If this is truly a piority like you points out then you should know that sacrifice have to play a major part here.
Easier said than done
like they say but the end will truly worth it.
All
Easier said than done
like they say but the end will truly worth it.
Emmanuel recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate your time in responding.
Aidan
Sophie (Shinan) Jin
Consultant
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Sophie (Shinan)’s Answer
Hi Aidan!
Maintaining a healthy WLB and mitigating burnout is something that's on everyone's mind I think.
As you mentioned, balance is key and the crucial piece of that is being intentional about carving out time for the things you value in life (hobbies, families, relationships etc.). This means setting boundaries on how much you're dedicating to work and being careful not to break those boundaries (occasionally is fine, but try not to make it a habit). I've found that only by being intentional about boundary setting are you able to actually able to respect that WLB line.
Also it's critical to work with people who respect these boundaries / who you enjoy working with so that even when work gets stressful, it's still somewhat sustainable because you have the support that you need.
Best of luck!
Maintaining a healthy WLB and mitigating burnout is something that's on everyone's mind I think.
As you mentioned, balance is key and the crucial piece of that is being intentional about carving out time for the things you value in life (hobbies, families, relationships etc.). This means setting boundaries on how much you're dedicating to work and being careful not to break those boundaries (occasionally is fine, but try not to make it a habit). I've found that only by being intentional about boundary setting are you able to actually able to respect that WLB line.
Also it's critical to work with people who respect these boundaries / who you enjoy working with so that even when work gets stressful, it's still somewhat sustainable because you have the support that you need.
Best of luck!
Wow, a really great response. I never thought about boundaries and having a support network. Thank you so much for your advice.
Aidan
Rachel Thompson
Global Senior Wellbeing Manager
4
Answers
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because everyone is unique, and even for a single person, things can change over time. It's crucial to focus on what matters most to you and frequently reassess your priorities, as circumstances can shift often. Establishing a routine can be incredibly beneficial. Remember, when things start to feel too much, it's perfectly fine to take a break, pause, and breathe. Be aware that sometimes our actions can unintentionally disrupt our balance. All the best!