I’ve just been, and continue to go through a very busy period at work. While this is normal and natural as part of the consulting journey, it seems that it always happens and requires continuing sacrifice to deliver on the projects we have been placed on.

This got me thinking about what is important at the end of the day. Every year I say to myself that I will find a better balance with work and life, and every year that comes along I always make the same trade-off: that I sacrifice my free time and time that I have to actually live life, to deliver for the business that I am working for.

The pressure to be “always on”

I have to speak about something I’ve been experiencing lately. This is the constant need to feel like I have to be switched on. To always be available and to sacrifice for the good of the team. This is fine for short burst, or where it’s important to achieve a deliverables, but I am growing tired of having to always bear the brunt of all the chaos around me.

I’ve realised that the people I work for ‘just expect it’. We had a good session last week actually with the consulting firm that had hired us to sub-contract work and work with their team. Their Director told us that we should be open and vocal about what we can and can’t do.

Taking a break on weekend

I am picking this back up on Sunday 28 June, a week or so after starting to pen this post. This was a really relaxing weekend, and it’s helped to reset and recharge after a long week. The pace wasn’t helped by two team members being out of action at work on Friday. 

Another thing I’ve started to do more of, is to spend more time at my parent’s place. For the last 10 years, I’ve spent my weekends trying to get lots of things done, keeping on top of my finances, and filling out every single minute with something productive.

I feel like I’ve gone the opposite way over the last couple of years. I’ve been spending a lot more leisure time. I think this has something to have done with having a sense of accomplishment and contentment having reached a certain level of investments and progress in my career.

Wrapping up

In summary, I think it’s really important to take a break when you need it. Work will always be there, and sometimes it’s okay just to do nothing. This is something that I’ve learned perhaps the hard way over the years. Looking back, for all the catastrophising – none of it ever eventuated. That’s a sign in and of itself. If you’re struggling with downing tools this weekend, remember – work will always be there – but this moment will float away.

Till next time

Craig