How Not to Let Your Job Keep You from Life
Most of us forget we are individuals with great things destined for us in this world.
Once we've collected our first few paychecks and start enjoying the free coffee, we become corporate slaves who retire to their sleep cells every night in order to keep the hamster wheel running the next day. We shove aside the thought we are always replaceable - a new person, robot or corporate strategy could take our place any day.
Here are some ways to pursue a real purpose in life, rather than be just another cog in the wheel day in and day out:
1. Have a home office
Your daily job should be a part of your workday - which is to make sure your career plan is on track. Keep improving your strategy and ensure you are achieving your milestones. Set time aside for daily admin tasks such as job search, professional branding and planning.
2. Work towards financial goals and hedge yourself for the future
Can't wait to spend hard-earned money on new toys? Don't forget the market can ditch you anytime and you could be left high and dry. Instead, set challenging goals for yourself and work towards them, investing smartly. Set up time to manage your finances, spending and plan for the future. Be knowledgeable of potential sources of income and ways to save money.
3. Workout your body and your mind
Get off that chair and enjoy a daily workout to keep the body fresh and pumping blood to your brain. Also ensure you have a mental challenge to sharpen your mind (for example memorizing a book or daily Sudoku).
4. Network, network, network and keep your finger on the pulse
Social meetings are a great way to find out what everyone else is doing as well as how and why they are doing it - new ideas, life hacks and newsflash. Not to mention political connections that can help you land your next job or a new client.
5. Program a career and up-skill to be ready for your next challenge
Do you want to be a data scientist or an MBA? Is that the key for your more lucrative professional branding? Ensure you know what you need to achieve and set a program to achieve it - either by steering your work to include more related hands-on activities or by enrolling into a program that will get you there.
6. Have a side project or two
Stick your fingers in many pies, and keep learning about new pies. Variety is the spice of life and this way there can never be a dull moment. Having a side business or consulting gig can also be something to fall back on when needed and keeps you in view of the big picture so you can be a self-managed entrepreneur rather than a replaceable resource.
7. Volunteer your services
Take out some time to teach others what you have learnt or put yourself forward for an admirable cause. You'll feel better and discover a new side to yourself. You will also be forced to manage yourself better.
8. Keep in touch with family and friends
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life - but don't overlook the needs of those closest to you. Personal relationships are the most human part of our lives, and we can probably expect (or hope for) someone to be there for us when we need them - if we were there for them.
Once we've collected our first few paychecks and start enjoying the free coffee, we become corporate slaves who retire to their sleep cells every night in order to keep the hamster wheel running the next day. We shove aside the thought we are always replaceable - a new person, robot or corporate strategy could take our place any day.
Here are some ways to pursue a real purpose in life, rather than be just another cog in the wheel day in and day out:
1. Have a home office
Your daily job should be a part of your workday - which is to make sure your career plan is on track. Keep improving your strategy and ensure you are achieving your milestones. Set time aside for daily admin tasks such as job search, professional branding and planning.
2. Work towards financial goals and hedge yourself for the future
Can't wait to spend hard-earned money on new toys? Don't forget the market can ditch you anytime and you could be left high and dry. Instead, set challenging goals for yourself and work towards them, investing smartly. Set up time to manage your finances, spending and plan for the future. Be knowledgeable of potential sources of income and ways to save money.
Get off that chair and enjoy a daily workout to keep the body fresh and pumping blood to your brain. Also ensure you have a mental challenge to sharpen your mind (for example memorizing a book or daily Sudoku).
4. Network, network, network and keep your finger on the pulse
Social meetings are a great way to find out what everyone else is doing as well as how and why they are doing it - new ideas, life hacks and newsflash. Not to mention political connections that can help you land your next job or a new client.
5. Program a career and up-skill to be ready for your next challenge
Do you want to be a data scientist or an MBA? Is that the key for your more lucrative professional branding? Ensure you know what you need to achieve and set a program to achieve it - either by steering your work to include more related hands-on activities or by enrolling into a program that will get you there.
6. Have a side project or two
Stick your fingers in many pies, and keep learning about new pies. Variety is the spice of life and this way there can never be a dull moment. Having a side business or consulting gig can also be something to fall back on when needed and keeps you in view of the big picture so you can be a self-managed entrepreneur rather than a replaceable resource.
7. Volunteer your services
Take out some time to teach others what you have learnt or put yourself forward for an admirable cause. You'll feel better and discover a new side to yourself. You will also be forced to manage yourself better.
8. Keep in touch with family and friends
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life - but don't overlook the needs of those closest to you. Personal relationships are the most human part of our lives, and we can probably expect (or hope for) someone to be there for us when we need them - if we were there for them.
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