Balancing Career And Personal Life

Your hobby may be one of the best investments you'll ever make in your career. Do you have one? In today's AI-driven world, technical knowledge alone isn't enough. The ability to **build, create, solve problems, and think differently** is becoming an even bigger competitive advantage. Using your hands—whether it's woodworking, building PCs, restoring cars, photography, gardening, cooking, 3D printing, or DIY projects—develops skills that transfer directly into business: 🔹 Better problem-solving through experimentation. 🔹 Greater patience and attention to detail. 🔹 Higher creativity by connecting ideas across different disciplines. 🔹 Stronger resilience because mistakes become learning opportunities. 🔹 Improved focus in a world full of constant digital distractions. The science backs it up: 📊 Studies have found that people who regularly engage in creative hobbies report **higher levels of well-being and lower stress**. 📊 Research also shows that mentally stimulating leisure activities are associated with **better cognitive performance and lifelong brain health**. 🏁 George Russell doesn't compete at the front of Formula 1 through talent alone. Every race is built on thousands of hours of preparation, simulator sessions, engineering collaboration, data analysis, and relentless practice. Success is earned by mastering the details. Business works the same way. Every project you build with your own hands teaches lessons that no PowerPoint, meeting, or AI tool can fully replicate. Your hobby isn't taking time away from success. **It is helping build the mindset, discipline, creativity, and resilience that create long-term success.** What hobby has taught you the most valuable business lesson? #Leadership via @sholoush #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Business #Learning #GrowthMindset #Engineering #Technology #STEM #Productivity #ContinuousLearning #FutureOfWork #Manufacturing #Craftsmanship #ProblemSolving #DigitalTransformation #MercedesAMGF1 #Formula1

A tough pill to swallow: 65% of professionals tie their identity to their job. Your job ≠ your identity. Your paycheck ≠ your purpose. Your career ≠ your entire existence. So, what exactly happens when your job defines you: - Loss of personal identity - Burnout - Neglected relationships - Limited growth - Increased stress You existed before this job, and you’ll exist after it. Here’s how to keep a clear boundary between who you are and what you do: 1. Set work-life boundaries. - Work stays at work. Protect your personal time. 2. Stop over-identifying with your role. - You are more than a job title on LinkedIn. 3. Prioritise your passions. - Make time for hobbies, creativity, and interests outside of work. 4. Build relationships beyond work. - Connect with people for who they are, not just their job titles. 5. Don’t let your self-worth depend on work success. - Bad day at work? That doesn’t mean you are failing. 6. Take real breaks. - Detach from emails. Go offline. Recharge properly. 7. Keep learning outside your industry. - Read, explore, and develop skills unrelated to your job. 8. Have goals beyond your career. - What do you want in life outside of work? Define that. 9. Protect your mental energy. - Don’t let work stress consume your thoughts 24/7. 10. Know when to walk away. - If a job no longer aligns with who you are, be willing to leave. Your job is what you do, not who you are. Remember: You are not your title. You are not your salary. You are not your work wins or failures. ♻️ Repost to remind your network: Your identity is bigger than your career. 🔔 Follow Luke Tobin for more insights on success and personal growth.

Career breaks are often cited as permanent pauses in your career. It is important to establish a changed mindset that a career break is not a blank space on your CV. It’s a chapter. Whether it's for family, caring for loved ones, a personal pursuit, or simply needing time to recharge, stepping away from your career is a significant decision. The change in routine, the questioning of your identity, the feeling of being disconnected – it may seem exhausting. A lot of women, including me, experienced this during their maternity break. And then returning to work after a break seems challenging too. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. But here's the powerful truth we need to embrace - " career break," is not a gap on your CV. It's a new chapter filled with experiences that have shaped you, strengthened you, and given you a perspective that's uniquely yours. You've learned invaluable skills, navigated complex encounters, and developed resilience that will serve you well in the future. So how do we normalize taking career breaks and support those on their journey? Here are a few thoughts: 💠 Preparing for a break: Have open conversations with your manager, family, and support network. Think about how you'll stay connected to your industry – even if it's just reading articles or attending occasional events. Most importantly, give yourself grace. This is time for you. 💠 Returning to work: Start small. Reconnect with your network – reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or industry contacts. Update your skills and don't be afraid to ask for help. Remember: Your experiences during your break are valuable assets. 💠 Providing the right environment to return to work: Companies must provide the right environment, tool, resources, and support system for employees to transition back to work, for example, after a long maternity break. Employee resource groups, support from male allies are perfect examples of these mechanisms and help build an equal, inclusive workplace. 💠 Supporting each other: Let's create a culture of support and understanding. Celebrate the diverse paths women take and recognize the strength and resilience it takes to navigate career breaks. Let's mentor, sponsor, and champion each other. Let's share our stories, lift each other up, and keep walking forward together. #KeepWalking #WomenInBusiness #CareerBreak 

I never encourage people to stay where they are being harmed. So if you can leave, make that move! However, if you can't immediately do so, or you’re in the hallway waiting for the next door to open, here’s what you can do: 1. Elevate your emotional intelligence even if that of your manager is low. You don't have to lower yours. You can still lead without the title. High emotional intelligence isn’t reserved for people managers. Your actions and attitude can inspire others, regardless of your position. Use your voice. Speak up to be added to projects and do your research on professional development courses or conferences you'd like to participate in.🗣️ 2. Advocating for yourself is crucial in any career. Don't be afraid to express your interest. Researching and being well-prepared shows your commitment and dedication to your growth, which can be appreciated by your superiors…or recruiters. 3. Avoid the gossip. Create your boundaries and maintain them. Office gossip can be tempting, but it rarely leads to anything positive. Dodging the dissing will maintain your integrity and build a reputation as someone who is trustworthy and professional. And when you leave, you can leave with your hands and mind clean. 4. Journal to release and document to defend. Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for managing stress and documenting your experiences at work. Use it to release your emotions. It can also serve as a record of your accomplishments and interactions, which can be handy when it comes time for performance reviews or addressing workplace issues. 5. Find a therapist if you can—process work issues outside of work. Work-related stress and challenges can take a toll on your mental well-being. Seeking therapy is a proactive step to ensure you have a safe and confidential space to discuss your concerns, manage stress, and develop coping strategies. I tell all my clients to prioritize their well-being over everything. And that they have more power and agency than they know. Be strategic with how you practice self-care around work. Toxic workplaces can really do a number on you. Know your limits. Drop a 💡 if you found these helpful.

Regulating your nervous system is a career builder. Our brains were originally wired for survival. When we perceive a threat, our cave-person amygdala activates a fight or flight response. This mechanism evolved to keep us alive, not to help us reason through a tough meeting. In modern work environments, critical feedback or public disagreement can be misinterpreted as a threat to status or safety. Once that alarm is triggered, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning and self-regulation, goes partially offline. The result is an emotional reaction that can feel disproportionate to the “real” situation. Withdrawing under pressure is a natural instinct. When the nervous system is flooded, shutting down can feel like a safe option. However, in an important meeting or decision, withdrawal can create more problems. It can erode trust and leave conflicts unresolved. Over time, repeated cycles of this can create feelings of chronic stress. “I don’t want to go to this meeting.” Managing reactions to feedback and conflict is about regulating your nervous system in the moment. One effective strategy is to pause before responding. Even a slow breath can reduce physiological arousal enough for the prefrontal cortex. “You got this.” Another is cognitive reframing: consciously labeling feedback as information, not a verdict. Asking a clarifying question, such as “What would good look like here?”, can shift the interaction from threat to joint solving. Staying engaged during the heat is a learned skill. Over time, practicing staying calm and engaged can retrain the brain to handle workplace friction. The goal is not to eliminate all emotional reactions, but to respond more deliberately, especially when the instinct to withdraw feels strong.

Companies will reward you for sacrificing your life to them. Amazon rewarded me with titles and money, but everything else in my life suffered. Was it worth it? I did not have work/life balance on the path to becoming an Amazon VP. Then, as a VP, I had even less. I was physically unhealthy, and I rarely spent time with my family for the 15 years I worked at Amazon. But that time allowed me to make enough money, “retire” early, and start my business where I am able to make money while traveling, pursuing other interests, and prioritizing my loved ones for large chunks of time. I had much less balance and freedom than many people when I worked at Amazon, but now I have much more. This is how I chose to live my life. Others choose differently. They prioritize balance or freedom or family throughout their careers, and they usually do not advance as far or make as much money as people who prioritize their careers. They have the chance to be happier, healthier, and more well-rounded throughout their lives, but they may not get to retire early or have as much freedom later on. There is no wrong way to approach your life and career, but there are choices you must make. If you don’t, corporations will make them for you. Companies aim to make profits for shareholders, often by getting more work from the same people. The long-hours person is often recognized and promoted. The money and title feel good. This game can be addicting. The next raise and promotion are always out there waiting. The company wants you to chase this. It benefits them. If you want to chase it, as I did, that is great, but the choice should be intentional. If you don’t want to chase this, don’t. But don’t be surprised when others move up farther and faster than you. Know that everything comes with tradeoffs. To make these choices well, it helps to redefine success: Does success mean a big title and high pay to you? Or does it mean more free time and less stress? Defining your personal picture of success will help you make these decisions. When I reached VP at Amazon, my definition of success changed. I realized I didn’t want to chase an SVP role, even though it would bring a lot more money and prestige. At that moment in my life, success meant regaining my health and time with friends, family, and personal passions. Your definition of success should be your own—not what corporate pressures or influencers tell you it should be. Just remember that any version of success requires sacrifices and tradeoffs. As for my personal tradeoff, I feel that it was worth it. But I also couldn't go back and undo it if I didn't. That makes it all the more important that you are intentional with your decisions and the tradeoffs they imply. What is your definition of success? Are you making decisions that support your path to that definition? What tradeoffs are you accepting along the way? --------------- How to "chase" promotion well: https://buff.ly/cIFtyl2

The National Vital Statics Report on U.S. birth trends has been released. This year has shown a decrease in overall birth rates, with significant patterns in age-specific fertility and prenatal care dynamics. Such insights not only shed light on public health strategies but also provide a crucial lens through which employers can enhance workplace policies. Key findings: -A decline in the general fertility rate and specific decreases across different age groups. -A notable reduction in early prenatal care and smoking during pregnancy. -Changes in delivery methods, including a slight increase in cesarean rates. -Stability in Medicaid as a primary source for delivery payments, indicating the ongoing importance of supportive healthcare policies. Employers play a pivotal role in supporting the workforce, especially expectant and new parents. Here are 10 strategic solutions that can be implemented to foster a supportive work environment: 1- Flexible Working Hours: Adapt work schedules to accommodate prenatal appointments and postpartum needs. 2- Remote Work Options: Provide options for telecommuting to help manage pregnancy-related fatigue and doctor's visits. 3- Extended Parental Leave: Offer more generous leave policies to support parental bonding and childcare. 4- Fertility Benefits: Enhance healthcare coverage to fertility care. 5- Onsite Childcare: Establish or subsidize childcare facilities at or near the workplace to ease the burden on working parents or increased daycare funds. 6- Employee Assistance Programs: Offer programs that provide counseling and support for prenatal and postnatal care. 7- Education and Training: Conduct workshops on family planning, prenatal health, and parenting to educate employees. 8- Support for Breastfeeding Mothers: Provide private, comfortable spaces for breastfeeding and allow breaks as needed. 9-Return-to-Work Programs: Create phased return-to-work options for new parents to ease the transition while maintaining career trajectories. 10- Wellness Programs: Implement programs focused on maternal health and stress management to support overall well-being. As we move forward, understanding and adapting to the evolving demographic trends will be key in crafting effective corporate policies that align with the needs of a diverse workforce. What is your organization doing to support families? List it in the comments ⬇️ #employeebenefits #parentalsupport

May is Mental Health Month. So, let me ask: How are you doing? Seriously. How are you REALLY doing? I speak to so many clients who wait too long to make a change. They endure difficult and demoralizing work climates, hoping that things will get better. While they wait, their confidence is eroded, making a job search that much more daunting. Please, don't let this happen to you. No job is worth your mental health. If you: ➙Don't get any satisfaction in your work ➙Routinely deal with people who are difficult ➙Do the work of 2 people (or more!) ➙Lack the resources to do your job well ➙Get no support from your direct supervisor ➙Are bullied or taken advantage of by co-workers ➙Find it difficult to muster the energy for your workday Then, your mental health is at risk. That is not okay! Here are 6 strategies to take care of yourself: 1️⃣ Map Your Triggers ↳ Document specific situations that drain you ↳ Track when your stress peaks ↳ Notice when you are withdrawing or in conflict 💡Action: Make adjustments where you can, based on what you learn 2️⃣ Create Non-Negotiable Boundaries ↳ Set firm work hours for yourself ↳ Block "recovery time" in your calendar ↳ Turn off notifications during deep work 💡Action: Communicate these changes with key people 3️⃣ Master the "Strategic Pause" ↳ Take micro-breaks (2-5 minutes every hour) ↳ Use lunch for actual lunch, not more work ↳ Practice quick breathing exercises between meetings 💡Action: Put these items in your calendar and set alarms to take care of yourself. 4️⃣ Control Your Controllables ↳ Organize your workspace ↳ Structure your day around your energy peaks ↳ Focus on what you can influence, not what you can't 💡Action: This is a habit. Keep coming back to what’s in your control when frustration builds. 5️⃣ Build Your Support System ↳ Connect with trusted colleagues ↳ Consider tapping into your Employee Assistance Program ↳ Look into professional counseling 💡Action: Ask for help, even when it makes you feel uncomfortable. You are worth it. 6️⃣ Prepare to Make a Change ↳ Activate your network and have casual conversations to test the waters ↳ Update your resume and your LinkedIn profile ↳ Build a list of target companies and research your options 💡Important Point: These steps aren’t a decision to leave. But, they will make it easier and quicker if you decide to do so. Reminder: Your mental health is non-negotiable. Protect it fiercely. 🎯 What's your best strategy for maintaining mental health at work? Tell us below! ♻️ Repost to support colleagues who might be struggling 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career and workplace strategies

I just returned from our annual family skiing trip and, as every year, I came back more recharged than rested. Six hours on the slopes leaves your legs aching. But it also leaves your mind genuinely clear. And this year I found myself asking *why* that is. The answer, I think, has little to do with mountain air. It has everything to do with the fact that skiing is one of the few activities that makes it genuinely impossible to think about work. You cannot navigate a steep slope while composing an email. The physical and attentional demands crowd out work-related thought not through willpower, but through genuine displacement. Researchers call this psychological detachment: the mental experience of being truly away from work during non-work time. And the evidence is striking: employees who achieve it return to work with higher engagement, better emotional regulation, and stronger performance. Not despite switching off, but because of it. For those of us in global roles, this is especially hard to do. When your team spans Asia, Europe, and the Americas, there is always someone awake, always a message arriving, always a reason to stay half-connected. The result is a kind of chronic partial attention that we have normalized and that quietly erodes our effectiveness over time. The implication is not that everyone needs to take up skiing. It is that the most effective recovery is not passive rest, but active absorption in something that has nothing to do with work. And that organizations also have a role to play by structurally protecting recovery time, not just advocating for it in wellness newsletters. Strategic idleness is not a concession to laziness. It is a professional discipline. And the global professional who masters it will, over time, outperform their always-on peers. I wrote more about this, including the research behind psychological detachment, the role of technology in undermining recovery, and what companies can actually do about it, in a recent blog post. Link in the comments. 👇 #GlobalWork #Leadership #Recovery #StrategicIdleness #Wellbeing

Most people think rest means doing nothing. But it doesn't work that way. When I was rebuilding my career after leaving law, I discovered something that changed how I approach rest completely. I was exhausted from constant decision-making, yet lying on the sofa scrolling my phone left me feeling more drained than before. The science explains why: Your brain has different networks that need different types of recovery. Here's how to match your rest to your work:   🪑 If you work sitting down, don't rest sitting down too. ↳ Movement restores circulation and energy   💻 If you're glued to screens, rest with no tech involved. ↳ Digital detox helps your eyes and attention recover   🛋️ If you barely move all day, use your free time to move your body. ↳ Physical activity resets your nervous system   📢 If it’s loud where you work, be somewhere quiet when you're done. ↳ Silence helps lower stress and brain fatigue   🏢 If you're indoors all the time, get outside where there's space to breathe. ↳ Natural settings lower cortisol and sharpen focus   🧠 If your work is mentally heavy, do something that doesn't need thinking. ↳ Cognitive rest lets your brain process and consolidate   🗣️ If you're around people all day, spend time alone with no interruptions. ↳ Solitude restores your social processing capacity Research backs this up: different types of fatigue require different recovery methods. When you match your rest to your work, your body actually restores itself. This completely shifted how I approach downtime.  No more wondering why I still feel drained after a day off. Rest isn't one size fits all. Your work style should guide your recovery style. What type of rest works best for your work style? Let me know in the comments. ♻️ Repost to help someone rest better 👉 Follow Lauren Murrell for more like this