Work-life balance. A lot of employees talk about work-life balance, a lot of employers talk about work-life balance, but it seems that few people actually achieve this balance.
Grind. Hustle. Strive. All good words, but they may have different meaning, depending on your own personal situation. If you are without a job, or in a job that you feel is below your value… you may be on motivated by essential things like paying rent, buying groceries, and putting gas in your car. While others that may be a bit more established might be on the lookout for something that can increase their value more, whether to retire a few years earlier, afford a bigger house, or pay for your kid’s college. No matter what your position, it all comes down to time and determination.
I’m battling the time issue right now. With work taking up the majority of my day, I feel strapped for “me time” that I can focus on other things. Does that mean I’m 100% from dawn to dusk? Not always, although it sometimes feels that way.
My work-life balance is focusing now on my family. Two kids (both under 4 years) and a wife is how I want to be spending my non-work hours. By the time we all get home, it is already 6pm. With the kids going to bed between 7:30-8:30pm, there isn’t much time to be together.
When they finally do go to bed, sometimes the last thing I want to do is open a computer to work, blog (pretty evident), or learn new things that may help me get ahead or into a different space. I read an article on Entrepreneur today, regarding “Motivation Porn” and how to stop it. I’m guilty of several of the items on the list, including watching tv to relax, not reading more, and doing the endless social media swipe/refresh/swipe some more.
At the end of the day, I would like to feel like I’m devoting my time to my family but also trying to work ahead. Right now, I’m not where I’m going to end up, and I know that it will be what I do (or don’t do) that will be the key to my future success(es).
As I’m getting back into writing, I realize that my overall writing needs some work. I started this post with a bit of an idea of where it should head, but then like most SNL skits of the 2000’s feel like it got aimless and should just end (whether it made sense or not). Writing tips are always welcome… as this is something input from outside sources can best serve.
Photo via http://www.gratisography.com/