skillset

Currently listening to: Viva La Vida – Coldplay

I learned that work-life balance is a myth.  It’s as real as a 도깨비 (goblin), because eventually, something will give.  This is even more-so now since everyone is attached to their electronics.  There are so many different ways for work to get a hold of me: call, text, ping, e-mail, or vis-à-vis.  This is why it’s extremely easy for me to ditch my phone and get away from my computer screens.

If I work too much and neglect everything else, my health, relationships, or happiness are affected.  I used to work 80+ hours a week and I was on a one-way ticket to burnout city and became a shell of my former self.  Financially, I was in the most optimal position I could have imagined.  I was so busy working that I didn’t even have time to spend it. In turn, I hated myself, my jobs, was hospitalized twice, and I loathed the situation I put myself into. 

If I play too much and neglect work, my stress levels, financial status, and employment are affected.  On the other side of the pendulum during high school and attending uni, I decided to work part-time and focus on my schooling. But I became lazy and instead of excelling in school I ended up ditching classes often.  I was hella broke broke because I was going out too much, getting trashed, and was eating out every day.

Life is always changing and it’s impossible for me to maintain a constant balance between work and life.  Every day, I have to prioritize what is important at work and what is important in my regular life.  I also have to be flexible with my schedule for the unexpected.  A last minute meeting, e-mail that needs urgent attention, or a high acuity patient that needs assistance at the 11th hour.  

Even though I think about the future quite often, I also remind myself to stay present.  Enjoy the moment and make the most of each day. Carpe diem. I have fun.  Lots of fun.  But I also have mundane and stressful days. My days are never the same so I want to memorialize the days and spend time with those who matter.  

Funny story, I asked management if I could have three screens for my work station.  I was told, “no” and to make due with the two that I have.  I initially thought, “these cheap bastards” and began to argue with them about how I would be more effective and efficient if I had three…and then stopped mid-sentence.  Why was I volunteering to do more work for the same pay?  Work smarter, not harder, dumb ass.