Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Balancing Life and Work... Harder When You Actually Like Your Job!

Ignoring the fact that I even had a job!
I've never really had trouble separating my work and home lives. When I'm at work, I do my job... whatever it is... and when my hours are up or I'm off the clock, I just sort of forget about it all.

That's what I've done historically at least. But I think it's beginning to change, and there is a simple reason for it - I actually like my job now! When I head home after a day's work, I keep thinking about what I'm working on and sometimes even break out my laptop later in the day to continue my work. I'm writing, editing, and developing content (not to mention posting on and monitoring our Facebook page) for a living now. Not my dream job yet, but it's on the road!

(For those who are wondering, my ultimate dream job is to work as a full-time writer for HowStuffWorks.com. That would be AMAZING. Just sayin'.)


The best part about it is that I am happy to keep thinking about work and doing my job beyond the typical 8 hours.

Ah! You see the paradox too, didn't you? If I like my job and am willing (and happy) to take my work home with me, how does my regular life fit into the equation?


To be perfectly honest, I'm still trying to figure that out. My poor tea blog has been getting neglected somewhat, even this early in its life. I'm so caught up in doing my paid work for the company that I've been putting some of my work at home off so I can continue to prove my worth. So here I am, thinking about the changes in my life and work situations and how I can balance them more.

One of the first things to come to mind is the way I can use a lot of what I learn as a Copywriter and Social Media Clerk to enhance my personal work with Fun and FlirTea and even with A Chomp at Love! To do that, I need to get a real handle on each of these positions and the right kind of mindset to have in each of them to produce the best results.

When you think of it that way, I guess it makes sense that my personal pursuits will take a back seat to my professional pursuits while I acclimate myself.

So what other considerations are there? I'm not sure yet!

Let's get a discussion going on this, shall we? Do you have any advice on balancing work and home lives? What is your job situation - i.e. do you enjoy your job or dislike it? Do you find it more or less distracting to your home life and how?

6 comments:

  1. Advice...Don't over do it, you are setting the standard now so if at some point you go from working 10 hours a day to working the normal 8 you suddenly look 20% less productive to your employer. Even if you love your job make sure that you are setting realistic time-lines and workloads.

    That said, I am glad you have a job you love :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the advice, Celeste! I'll definitely keep that one in mind. :D

      Delete
  2. Why do people feel they have to make a distinction between work and life? If you are liking what you are doing at work to the point you want to continue doing it after "normal" work hours, why would you not do it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just because I like my job doesn't mean that I should allow it to be the only thing I do or have in my life. I don't mind continuing to work outside of the regular hours, but I do mind it preventing me from spending time with family, friends, or even reading a new book.

      I do like my job, but it shouldn't consume me entirely.

      Delete
  3. Working online at the comforts of your own home has become a popular trend these days. With the advent of the internet, there had been a lot of money making opportunities online that can help you earn at home while taking care of your kids, if you are a mom.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's not easy to balance between work and life. Now days Work burden is increasing. And If you are doing without getting puzzled then I think you are blessed

    ReplyDelete