Work-Life Balance...It's up to YOU!

No one else will establish balance in your life. No one is coming to rescue you.

Work Sabbatical

I have shared this advice with others numerous times, but recently, I had to apply it to myself. After losing my 9 to 5 job, I was offered a contract-to-hire position at a reputable company. However, just a few weeks in, things began to unravel. The initial excitement faded quickly, and I started experiencing microaggressions. It became a situation where I was expected to "sit at your desk, don’t get up, and work all day." I soon understood that such an environment was not conducive to my professional growth.

My personality seeks BALANCE, embodying the work hard, play hard mindset. The issue in most corporate settings is that I experience this within a standard workday!

In my younger, single years, I had the energy to work the 8 to 9 hours and then go out afterward for some fun. I hardly ever called in sick. If I did, I was REALLY sick.

Now as I am older with a family, where is that flexibility? Two weeks of vacation and a hybrid work schedule just does not work for me.

When faced with challenging work, I find that taking a long walk helps me clear my mind, allowing me to return with a solution or participate in a 2-hour intensive meeting. I also appreciate having a coffee date with a friend before diving into work at the computer. These activities inspire me to perform effectively and maintain a positive influence at work.

I decided on an end date on that contract job and they released me early. I miss the paycheck and the smart people there but I am the owner of my own work-life balance. No one is going to create it for me. I also have expectations and boundaries that are unwavering.

We put up with a lot at our jobs. Nothing will go smoothly 100% of the time. There will be tough times. You will have to make some sacrifices.

BUT…

Limits exist. Laws are in place to safeguard parents, caregivers, individuals with disabilities, and diverse groups. Additionally, corporate ethics and policies are established.

There are ALSO personal morals, ethics, and boundaries. Have you created those for yourself? At what point is it just too much? Are you experiencing brain fog, sleepless nights, and dreaded workday mornings? Are you stress eating and picking up weight? Are you grumpy at work or with your family? Have you been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder? IBS? Or some other chronic disease or disorder?

Certainly, you can modify your diet, start exercising, or take medication. You can also improve your home environment by using "clean" products. But what if your job is affecting your mental and physical health? Are you prepared and able to take a short-term leave to reassess the situation or seek professional help? Are you truly engaged in work that you love? Does your job allow you the time and space to be genuinely yourself?

You are a FREE AGENT with OPTIONS.

• You can take on a different role at your current employer.

• You can go back to school.

• You can work part-time instead of full-time.

• You can shift into an entirely different industry.

• You can quit.

  
  

This world needs everyone. We need street cleaners and attorneys. We need stay at home moms and professionals.

Take a risk on YOURSELF. Every once in a while, assess your situation. Make moves that work for you. Be your own best advocate. Remember that true wealth is a healthy mind, body, and spirit.