Life is Seven Days a Week
I distinctly remember sitting on a panel of IT executives, and someone asked, “How do you balance work and life?”. My answer was simple; you don’t. There is no work-life and personal life; there is just life. Sometimes the scale tips more one way than the other. Don’t get me wrong, I am as ambitious as anyone and have struggled mightily at this thing called life. I have worked late, procrastinated on a project to the last minute, missed a deadline, missed family dinner, or ran into my daughter’s activity at the last minute. Over the years, however, I have integrated my work and personal lives with the technology available to us. Ultimately reducing stress and increasing my engagement.
The starkest example of balancing life I can give is many years ago, a critical conference call was scheduled at the same time my weekly bicycle club ride started. Instead of rolling over and staying at work, I kitted up, plugged a wired headset into my cell phone, put the phone on mute, and frantically pedaled to keep up with my cycling buddies. When I had to participate in the phone call, I pulled over to the side of the road, unmuted, and said my peace. While my ride was interrupted a few times, I was satisfied with my day when I walked into my house that evening. I didn’t harbor resentment at my job, making me moody when it was time to be with my family. Nor did I resent my family because I was squeezed for time…
