Ilona Codes
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Do you have any energy and time for your personal goals after a full day of work at your job?
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Oldest comments (65)
The answer is complicated.
The easy one here is time. One of the things I realized by getting older is that time is scarce. Since getting older involved getting married and having two kids there is very little time left for personal - in the sense of individualistic - goals.
The answer to that part is: I have little time.
Next is the part concerning energy. The answer here is varying due to workload, daily performance level, food consumption, sleep etc.
So the answer here is: Yes, there are days where I have energy left which wasn't consumed by something else.
The really hard part is about personal goals.
That shifted a lot, because of the varying interpretation of what my goals are. And having little to no time helps focussing on what your goals are.
So setting realistic goals is helpful here.
If you accept that, you could say: »No, I do not do any sideprojects and code irregularly from time to time in a language I like just for the sake of doing it« and at the same time:
»Yes, I have energy and time for personal goals«.
That interpretation of the question doesn't fit in a headhunter's profile but in my definition of work life balance.
Thank you for so the expanded answer! I appreciate it 🙂
No. Because after work I'm going to the GYM. Even If I don't go, I haven't any energy and why I don't know :/
These days (and for quite some time now) I have neither the time nor the energy. And even when I have both (rarely), I use them for other things (chores mainly).
It's been a while since I had the time and/or motivation to work on (or even start) other personal goals (projects, blog, learning guitar...) after a day of work. Even week-ends are no good to work on those because I just want to rest, chill and do other things (go out with friends for example).
I agree with that. Focussing on the goals without any motivation is difficult. Especially, if the body and mind just want to take a rest and relax.
I am assuming that for personal goals you mean career and/or side projects related goal.
For me, It's all about energy and doing different activities.
If I spend all day coding, then I have no energy left to spend in front of a computer (or TV or any device) so I prefer doing sports, hanging out with friends (other personal goals) read: taking care of my body and brain, build and preserve important relationships.
If I spend the day in meetings or communicating with people (planning etc.) then I have some emotional and intellectual energy left to work on a side project at home.
It's important to set goals in order to achieve them, but it's also important to diversify the day :)
I see your work-life balance is right and, moreover, gives your wellbeing a boost along with your career 🙂
I think it depends on what are the goals and the current job, 3-4 hours of self-dedicated time instead of 1 could make a huge difference in a week.
After working 8 hours a day I go to the gym for minimum 2 hours, 5 days a week.
Relationship "goals" aside, my goals are strength and physique oriented based on my training, I find the time to count the calories and cook myself the meals I need to stay healthy.
As a 28 years old, I'm pretty active and feel a good balance between energy and time/management, but I have to improve on the latter.
I guess the more you grow, the better you manage your time.
It's true. I like your daily schedule. 👍
Yes, time seems to be going by faster as we get older.
I do my best to make it work especially if I know I have something that I need to focus.
Usually, I just set aside some time to do it during the weekends instead of a weekday. Probably in the next few days of changing my habit to wake up early would allow me to have more time to work on before my usual working routine.
I totally understand you. I am also working on some side projects during the weekends and would be happy to switch to early morning hours to do that.
If I didn't pursue my personal goals I'm end up with no energy for life. As it hard as it can seem, your personal goals are the ones that matter. If you dedicate everything to work, and it's not one of your personal goals, you'll find yourself burning out and in a terrible situation.
It's similar to sports. Getting exercise every day isn't an optional activity. If you leave it out, you'll suffer for it. It's irrelevant whether you think you have time or energy, there is no way you can avoid it and remain healthy. I find the same is true of personal goals.
Sure, I'm exhausted some days, and have a terrible lack of time. But the only thing making it worthwhile is that I'm pursuing my own goals.
You are right! It's very important to have personal goals. They can boost and motivate us to live and help avoid daily routine.
Well said!!
I've been trying for weeks, since I have some online courses that I want to finish, but some days I got home so tired that I just want to watch tv. One thing that I do to do my personal goals is when I'm making dinner, I also watch some videos from those courses.
Balance is everything. Unfortunately, fatigue has become a part of our daily routine and when we feel that there is no energy to do anything, then it's time to take a rest.
Your willpower is limited, so if you spend the most of it during the workday, you won't have enough to pursue your personal goals. It's easier to get distracted, or simply to be tired.
One solution is to reverse your schedule. Wake up earlier, and spend your first hours of the day (this moment where you have the highest focus ability / willpower) to pursue your personal goals. You will allocate your best energy to it, and then go to work.
It's great if you can spend the first early hours on pursuing your personal goals. I wish I could do that in winter.
It's a question of habit. You may be interested by the Miracle Morning book.
Depends on my daily workload. There are days in which I have little work so when I get home I usually continue with my projects for an hour or two. This doesn't happen very often but I try to work on them at least an hour a week.
You are consistent! I believe the consistency is more important over quantity of hours on the way to success.