Time to change gears - from workaholic to worklife balance

May 17, 2012 4:36 PM

Currently I am working in a job that requires me to be your typical workaholic but I am soon moving onto a new position in an organisation that is very worklife balance oriented and I am concerned I will struggle with the transition.

I am about to leave a job that has been mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting that only offered the bare bones salary and no benefits, at times 7 days a week, but was an environment were the actual work was very exciting and anytime I spoke about my job everyone would be - jealous! want! - into a job that has very set hours, paid overtime, great benefits but the actual content of work I will be responsible for will be a lot less exciting. My question is - are there others out there that have made this transition from high powered amazing work but no life outside of work into more sedate work but balanced life? Is there anything you wish you had known/done to make it easier? Any anecdotes you can share? How long did it take you to adjust to new routines and ways of working?

I know this may seem a strange question for some but I have found myself worrying about it fairly often so thought I would just ASK already.

posted by latch24 to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Best answer: The initial transition might be a little difficult, but just remember that you acquired so many skills at your previous intense job that will translate to the new one. For the first few days, just try to take it slow and absorb ALL the information being presented to you. Sometimes with the fast-paced stuff, you get used to picking information out of the air flying around you, and you can get a little impatient with the slower pace of the new position. Try not to bring any arrogance to the new place.
posted by raisingsand at 4:44 PM on May 17, 2012

Best answer: I made a similar transition about three years ago. Initially, I felt as though I was consistently under performing, because I had a hard time adjusting to the pace of my new workplace. I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that the corporate culture was accepting of that pace. I had to take a step back and remind myself that it wasn't because I was not qualified, bad at my job, or that the new place wasn't a good fit - it was just slower.

Due to the nature of the new workplace, I wasn't working on a lot of exciting projects, and I found that my self worth quickly began to slip. I thought that perhaps I had made the wrong choice. I felt like an imposter and thought that maybe I had fooled the employers and my colleagues at my old job into thinking I was good at what I do. I found it challenging to relate to my new coworkers. I had shift my office conversation topics from creative brainstorming sessions and idea sharing to asking about my coworker's weekend, pets, babies, etc. because many of them didn't seem to give a single shit about the work we spent a significant part of our day on. That was tough, and I still miss that quality dialogue.

I didn't realize how closely I had linked my identity to my profession. If asked to describe myself, I would have used my profession immediately following my name. It has shaped my world view, and my interests and travel. It wasn't until I realized that I needed hobbies and interests outside of work - not just additional professional development to help further my career.

Prior to starting this job, I would have perceived these hobbies and interests as a waste of time. But I needed them to begin to strike that work/life balance that everybody talks about.

You'll be able to handle the new job, I'm almost certain of it. This is an opportunity to pursue and explore personal interests. If you don't have any, this is the fun part - your new job will give you free time to discover them and try different things until you find out.

Best of luck! Have fun!
posted by Juniper Toast at 5:36 PM on May 17, 2012 [4 favorites]

Best answer: I've been through a similar transition and it is somewhat disorienting for quite a while, because there's all this time and shouldn't you be doing something productive with it? Surely you aren't allowed to just relax or go for a walk or something are you?

The most difficult thing I found was giving myself permission to not work at 110% all the time. Look around you in your new position and take note of what others are doing - they don't seem to be wracked with guilt over not working 12-hour days, do they? No, they don't - because it's the 12-hour days that are abnormal, not what you are doing now (or about to be doing). Give yourself permission to become a human being again.

It can be tough, but you'll get through it ;-)
posted by dg at 5:37 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I made this move about eight months ago, and I'm struggling with it. My last job was 45-50 weeks of travel a year, 70 hour work weeks, and I worked more weekends than not. Like you, it was a "Jealous! Want!" type job. Last August, I switched to a new organization (new industry and career) that is no travel, 40-45 hours a week of work, nothing on the weekends. I was surprised that it took them so long to get my BlackBerry setup, then I realized that doing email outside the office is a rarity.

Broadly speaking, it was the right move to make. I had been living my old lifestyle for about seven years, and it was starting to take its toll on me mentally and physically. At the same time, I was getting married, and I was worried that I would wreck my relationship if I kept up that life.

I should be happy, and I guess I am. Easy hours, low stress, even got a decent pay increase for the new role. But I'm constantly bugged with the worry that I'm not performing at my peak, that I'm not growing, not being challenged, that I'll look back in a few years and feel frustrated when I ask myself, "what the hell do I have to show for these last few years?"

I'm trying to keep sane as best I can. I got on the boards of a couple local non-profits that needed some help. I'm trying to write more (for publications in my old field, interestingly enough). I got married and bought a home, and have spent time working on it. Marriage is in good shape. My dog and I have a lot more quality time together. But it's rough. I used to complain about being tired and having a million balls in the air, and now I'm feeling bored and stagnent and a little lost.

I doubt any of this is helpful, but you should know what you're in for. I don't have any fantastic advice to offer you (but if you come across any, please share it with me!). Just know you're not alone, and you'll experience your own version of this. I'm available on EMail/MeMail if you want someone to talk to.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:34 AM on May 18, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best answer: You will be absolutely amazed at how easy you'll find it. You look up at five and people are leaving. You will too.

I suggest joining a gym, or taking a class, or something you can do directly after work, because one of the weirdest things to me was getting home and it still being daylight.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:16 AM on May 18, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks for your insight everyone - appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experiences. You have all given me something to consider.
posted by latch24 at 2:04 AM on May 19, 2012