The “Grass is greener” syndrome
3 tips to find a balance and enjoy both work and leisure
This dilemma is very common, and I struggled my self often to find a balance and be able to appreciate both worlds work and leisure fully.
Here are 3 practical tips which helped me:
Tip1: Your next Job
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. –John Lennon
If your mind start to wander often at work, chances are good you either don’t like the job or you start to get bored and you need to move on and think about a change.
You are going to be spending the majority of your best years working anyway, so try to find something that brings you joy and happiness, something you would do and forget about time and money while doing it. Make this task to your most important task, until you find that activity.
The same applies for leisure activities, if you start thinking about your work while relaxing, chances are good:
- you are overwhelmed at work and the job is not adapted to your skills, personality , your values, or your stress level
- you have a boring leisure activity and you need a more challenging one
- you are unable to set boundaries between work and leisure , and you need to learn relaxing techniques like deep breathing or meditation which can help
Tip2: Work-Life Balance
Not everyone likes the 9–5. Everyone has his own ideal work schedule
Apply only for jobs positions which allow a flexible schedule so that you will be able to take more frequent vacations and flexible breaks during the work day. This helps reduce the longing for the other side.
If a flexible schedule is not possible in your job category, try always to negotiate for maximum flexibility even at the cost of less money.
Opt for self employment or freelancing when possible to become the master of your own time fully.
Tip3: Focus
focus on one thing. Get that one thing right, then move to the next
Learn to focus fully on what ever you are doing (job or leisure) on the present moment. Don’t focus than more one thing at a time. Multi-Tasking is a Myth.
Get that one thing right. Give it 100%. Remind your self often as soon as your mind start to wander.
And don’t forget:
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West
