When you’re young and just entering the workforce, it’s natural to feel anticipation, eagerness, and even anxiety. You’re likely to place specific expectations on yourself about what you want to achieve and how you want to grow. It’s very easy to believe that hard work and long hours are what you need to do to get noticed and succeed in your career.
Don’t Feel Guilty for Prioritizing Yourself Over Work
What young professionals need to know about work-life balance.
November 14, 2022
HBR Staff/Rinat Khairitdinov/Getty Images
Summary.
When we’re starting out in the work world, we often equate the hours spent at work to our productivity. But it’s simple untrue. Not taking care of yourself early on can be a recipe for burnout. The author mentions four ways to prioritize yourself in a way that doesn’t hurt your career growth.
- Do nothing. One way to build a moment of genuine disconnect from work is to journal or doodle your thoughts. Think of this like a daily “wipe the mind” or “brain dump” to literally get things off your mind and release the pressure to dwell on these thoughts or feelings.
- Learn to say “no” and define your boundaries. That means, understanding your limitations, and showing up in ways that energize and motivate you rather than drain you. While this can be hard to do when you’re young, know that cultivating the skill to politely turn down makes you a better colleague, friend, or peer.
- Become more intentional about the physical spaces at home, and how you wish to use them. Find specific spaces where you can work, and avoid taking work to your couch or bed.
- Finally, understand what your career goals and vision are, and how they fit into the larger context of your life. Introspect how you can cultivate your passions and interests outside of work, and recognize that work is merely a part of your entire identity.