6 months ago, I decided I needed to get a day job.
The decision came after I had run my fashion design business and realized I needed firsthand experience running the kind of business I wanted. I got a job as a Personal Assistant in a big manufacturing company. The role is combined with several other unofficial roles.
6 months down the line, I can safely say I am not so over my head as was 2 months ago.
Between this full-time job, running my fashion design business on a small scale and freelance writing, it is safe to say I had no “me” time. I had no life outside of work.
I had finally done two things I dreaded: living for the weekend and working hard without being productive.
Two months ago, I told myself that this had to stop.
I finally came up with a routine that helped me do all I wanted realistically and still have a life.
Here are my four quick tips for having a life with a full job and side gigs.
[bctt tweet=”Balancing two or more responsibilities with self-care is hard but not impossible. Here are the 4 commandments to follow:” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
1. Thou shall keep a To-Do list and use it.
I found out that having a to-do list keeps me organized. With so much to do at work and in my side jobs, I find myself running around a lot and doing nothing much.
My daily To-do list is organized the night before. I factor prayer, working out, my main job, my writing, my sewing in the evening into the list.
I make sure I leave blocks of time to accommodate the unforeseen jobs that will come up at work. This is a daily occurrence.
The To-Do list increased my productivity by 50%.
2. Thou shall set realistic targets
3 months into the job I developed stress belly and added weight. My face broke out and I started to wear wigs, leaving my natural hair matted under the wigs. Forget mani-pedi. That was gone.
When I took the decision to get my life together, the first thing I did was set goals.
Safe to say the targets were pretty high and I gave up.
I went back to the board and re-drew the plan.
Work out thrice a week as opposed to every day. Drink water, get my nails done bi-monthly. Braid my hair once a month and wear wigs for the other days of the month.
2 months in, my stress belly has reduced and I still maintain my hair and nails routine.
3. Thou shall factor in “You” time
I love going to the movies, green tea, and red wines. One of the first things I stopped doing was going to the movies. Weekends were tight. No more tea time and wine time.
I now find time on Sundays to savor a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Most importantly I fix movie dates so I will have to make time for them. This means I must close out official work by Friday and put extra time into the writing. It is worth it.
[bctt tweet=”Relate each work experience to your business. This way your work and life is balanced emotionally.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
4. Thou shall find a purpose in what you do.
If your job pays a bit low like mine, you might grow resentful over time. This will definitely affect your work-life balance. For someone who wants the experience, this will make a terrible experience.
One way I have managed to balance myself emotionally is to relate each work experience to my business.
One thing I have learned to do is to be grateful and positive. It gives more light to the work I do. I make the choice to cut back when I can.
Balancing two or more responsibilities with self-care is hard but not impossible and we are getting there.
Till next time. For now, drink a glass of wine or cradle a cup of tea and take care of you!
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