Monthiversaries.
11 months ago yesterday, I quit my full-time job and I’ve been wandering around this crazy freelancing world ever since.
2 months ago today, I started learning how to rock climb.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that rock climbing has become a very big part of my life. I go about three times per week. Rock climbing is a form of meditation for me (and, I imagine, most of the people who do it). When you’re on the side of a cliff, eighty feet off the ground, you’re not thinking about what bills need to be paid or what rude thing @webkenny said on Twitter. When the only thing keeping you from falling is fingertips on a ridge and bent toes on a nub of rock*, the only thing you’re thinking about is not falling.
Rock climbing has changed me. It’s transformed both my physical and mental self (selves?). I’ve always been a pretty tough cookie on the inside. It’s been interesting to see myself become someone with a decent amount of physical strength as well. It’s also been interesting to see myself become someone who has something enticing me to get the heck away from my computer once in awhile.
I’m sharing all of this with you because it relates to a topic that’s very near and dear to me lately. Work-life balance. I first started talking about it here.
To totally contradict myself, I’m going to confess something to you.
I work weekends a lot lately.
Weekdays are arbitrary. The weather isn’t.
It’s INSANE to spend every day, all summer long sitting in front of a computer. Even if you shut down at six, that only gives you three hours to enjoy the outdoors and the (dimming) sunlight. Change your schedule for the summer. Personally, my new outlook is: if it’s going to be raining on Sunday and gorgeous on Tuesday, you can bet that I’m going to work my tush off on Sunday so I can go play on Tuesday afternoon.
I loved this article that Natalie posted the other day, in which she said: “When you started your business I bet one of your main reasons for doing so was the freedom to create your own schedule and work your own hours… but are you actually taking advantage of the freedom you have and scheduling regular time out?”
This is the benefit to not working for the man, my friends. We traded stable incomes for the ability to work when we want AND play when we want. I hope you’re doing both.
* there’s a rope to catch you if you fall. but you still don’t want to fall.
» Filed Under self-employment
4 Responses to “Rock climbing and work-life balance”
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When I’m not tormenting @leahcreates with my wry (and oft uninvited) wit, I work in open source software and do a fair amount of personal training using the GTD model of life and work.
This article touches on an important point, whether you’re freelance or not, which is: As long as your work is your life and your life is your work, you’re always on and there is no distinction. No line in the sand, nor mode that makes you feel one way or the other at a given time. The religious sect would call it spiritual enlightenment. I call it mental acuity.
Rock on, Leah. Great post. I’m one of the lucky few to truly work for a man I call a personal hero so however you get your money, making time to do your best work – inner or actual – is critical to growth and peace of mind.
-K
P.S. Ok, back to rude now.
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leah Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Thanks for this lovely comment, Kenny. I, too, work for someone who is my personal hero. (I’m only free-lancing half-time now, though I still work from home.)
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Can I come work for you? I have no coding experience nor can I make beautiful designs like you can… but, I can, like, make you cookies* and cheer you on when you rock climb!
* they may not be edible, fyi.
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leah Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Sorry, no. Noah already has that exact position.
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