Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash
We hear a lot of cultural talk these days about following your passion. The anonymous quote, “If you love what you do you won’t work a day in your life,” is very popular. As much as this might be true for some, not all of us love what we do so much that we are sustained and renewed by the work itself. Most of us need time to recharge, travel that re-energizes, or clear separation between work and home. I recently bought a sixteen-month calendar that is specifically called a “work life balance planner” because I need help in this area.
Don’t get me wrong. I love coaching. In coaching I see people who are empowered by the coaching relationship to make lasting and committed changes in their behaviors and attitudes. Coaching makes a difference in my clients’ lives, and I love seeing these results. And being a solopreneur offers an opportunity for me to work whenever and wherever I want. This flexibility, although tremendously awesome, gets me into trouble because I have workaholic tendencies, which leads me back to the planner.
I don’t believe there’s such a thing as “work life balance” for entrepreneurs or small business owners. What is achievable is setting a schedule that provides intentional rhythms of rest, work, and play. My 2022 planner, which I’ve already started using, has space for identifying work and personal activities with a reserved section for the “most-important-things” (MIT) list.
Before getting this planner, I would focus on my MIT List for work only. Now I write down my personal stuff too, which helps me remember that I’m not a robot and need to have times of play, doing things that I enjoy outside of work.
I am grateful that my vocation is made up of work that I love. And experience has taught me there’s more to life than work. Do what you love, absolutely. And find things that bring you joy outside of work. It will make your work and life all the more rewarding and enjoyable.
Question to ponder:
What is one thing you love to do outside of work?
Stay curious friends!
Make sure you’re listening to season one of the Dream Big Authentic Leadership podcast, found on Apple, Google, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Commenti