Is This Career Right For Me? Part Three – Work Life Balance

Choosing a lifetime career can be tricky. With so many variables, one may find themselves easily overwhelmed by such a decision.   

Today we continue our new series, where we break down how to know if a career is the right choice for you! For this installment, we are going over work-life balance. 

The Dangers of Overworking 

Working is required to survive nearly everywhere around the world; yet there’s no denying there’s a line to be drawn. Overworking has serious consequences, such as increasing the risk of heart disease and strokes, and affecting mental health in general. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to understand and take caution when working overtime or pushing yourself past your limits. At the end of the day, your physical and mental health should take precedence, even if the culture you live in says otherwise.  

If your career is draining you to the point of bleeding enjoyment from your life, and destroying your physical health, it’s important to recognize that. And, by extension, possibly considering a less strenuous career. Obviously this could bring consequences, such as less income or a loss of job benefits, so deep contemplation and consideration is good before making any permanent choices.    

Knowing When To Pull Back 

So, when is enough considered enough? Feeling lethargic, physically unwell, or mentally vexed are all signs you might need a break. It’s crucial to vet careers before you accept them, as well, to make sure you’re able to handle the workload in the first place. Even then, careers often spring extra hours or responsibilities on unsuspecting employees. Know your limits, and know when it’s time to potentially tread a new path. If you can’t outright quit, taking a small break or vacation could help tremendously.  

Finding Balance 

In an ideal world, everyone should automatically have equal time to pursue personal interests and work. This is not realistic to capitalistic society, however, which means it’s up to the us (the workers) to do research and take caution.  

Let’s say I’m picking between two jobs. One job offers ample PTO, and only clocks in about 30 hours a week. The other job doesn’t have PTO benefits, and is asking for closer to 45-50 hours a week. While the income would be better in the second job (depending on pay), I would suffer immensely from a) lack of benefits and b) not having much time to rest and enjoy life. Quality of life is an underrated and underthought facet of choosing a long-term career, and it’s vital to consider it.  

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There are numerous things to consider when choosing a career, work-life balance being a major one. Stay tuned for part four of this series coming soon!