Priorities
Friday April 21, 2006 / 9 CommentsDo you ever have one of those moments where you realize everything, absolutely everything, has fallen into place? I spent a significant amount (Read: All) of my free time over the last couple of years working, learning, writing, and more. I knew there was more to life, but wasn’t interested in letting myself hear it until recently.
After a few significant events in the last couple of months, I’ve made some adjustments to my work/life balance, and it’s gotten in the way of writing. I normally wouldn’t write about personal things on here, but in order to create that balance, I’ve had to neglect the site. So it’s relevant. I’ve traded blogging, RSS, extra work, and e-mail for time with family and friends, the outdoors, basketball, working out, learning to play guitar, reading something other than tech books, happy hours, and travelling.
I’ve essentially just trimmed back on the stuff that isn’t as important in the big picture and started to live a little bit. Anyways, I just had to get that out there. Regular, and hopefully more interesting, updates will resume shortly.
On a related note, I highly recommend subscribing to my links feed as I’ll be updating that more frequently. Hint. Hint.
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Wow, I’m actually really happy to see a post like this. I’ve recently decided to resign from my full-time position (as a web developer for a small city) choosing instead to work part-time in order to focus on many of the things you’ve mentioned in this post. I commend you for placing more of an emphasis on other aspects of life besides work. I’d be interested to hear more about the specific adjustments you made to your “work/life balance”.
Derek P. CollinsI’ve gone through the same thing and you know what? The quality of and good feelings you get from you work will be better now that you’ve got that balance.
I’m doing easily some of the best and most enjoyable work of my life and I think it’s becasue I’m “working” less and “living” more.
KeithEarly in my career work was my life, then I was told something that hit home. Don’t confuse having a life with having a job.
I’d also be interested in hearing what type of adjustments you’ve made as well. I have to admit it can be tough at times to keep the balance correct. I am fairly successful and my boss doesn’t seem to understand I have a life outside of work.
What I tell a lot of younger people (I am 36) at my firm is that I work for live. I don’t live to work.
TommyAny hints for someone else that wants to learn the guitar?
JackRight on brother.
Getting a balance is hard. I either feel like I am not doing enough as far as design and my talents are going down or I am doing nothing but design.
I think that there is more to life than design, even though design is great and I love it, there is more.
Your site rocks and you are an inspiration. Keep rockin’
ericJack – Not yet. Lots more to go, I’m just getting started, and I have to say it’s a heck of a challenge.
Everyone – There haven’t been any specific adjustments. I just don’t ever worry about how long it’s been since I posted. If I don’t feel like writing, I don’t. if it’s sunny outside, I get out of the apartment. My computer just sits there collecting dust. The only difficult thing for me was to not feel guilty about neglecting my site. I’m still not quite over it yet, but every day I’m less and less concerned. Frankly, I definitely feel rejuvenated and imagine I’ll pick it back up in the near future.
GarrettGood to hear man. Live it up!
ParagGood for you, Garrett. It’s easy to get sucked into the business end of life. My wife and I are having our first baby in a few weeks and I couldn’t feel more like things are being put into perspective. People >> enjoy life!
Ben HirschThat’s weird. I’m now 30 and I’ve been living it up my whole life.
But.. now I’ve got a 3 month old son, I feel like I have to knuckle down with my work to make sure the future is secure for the family.
Maybe I need to reevaluate that thought, stay chilled and simply go with the flow.
JPComments are closed for this entry.