Hey, lighten up!

It’s almost like the universe keeps handing me the same problem in a single day, a string of patient friends, all wrestling with work stress, until I finally sat down to write something for all of them. Of course, not everything here will fit everyone.

Hours are extremely variable, anywhere from 36 hours to 90 hours; compensation, or whether you can eat a proper lunch or not, seems to vary greatly too, yes?! I get that the travel disrupts your basic life. I know you’re dealing with tough bosses or colleagues. I know another job isn’t waiting in the wings. Or maybe you’re craving to start something of your own. The current pace isn’t sustainable. Maybe you don’t feel recognized. So, where do you start?

I would say design your own life. Gamify life a little. See 100 meters ahead to decide where the light is, not 10 miles.

Think of life in two parts. Part A is work. Part B is everything else that is personal. The goal is to balance the B. Part A structures your day; Part B is where you plug in more joy. Sometimes it’s the quality of time, not the quantity. Don’t wait for ‘later’ as every small piece of life is precious.
I once had a little frog statue that held a sign: “It’s not the weight you carry, but how you carry it.”

Remember Toni Morrison in writing, Julia Child in TV career, Warren Buffett in finance, or Colonel Sanders founding KFC. All built their biggest wins later in life. This isn’t a biological clock.

Sometimes a great idea comes to you in a split second. Then it takes months of hard work before you can execute. I know the body reacts under stress in ways you can’t fully control. Try building a narrative that helps you slow down as tense muscles and sleepless nights wear you down.

Even visionaries like Steve Jobs scouted the best resources around him to build the Mac. You don’t have to do it all, lean in. Even the most famous songs only became famous through repetition- they had to be played, and played, until they caught on. Network and transcend beyond the HR-AI barrier to show your incredible human power.

Maybe an abundance mindset helps here: spend a little, delegate a little, get things done.

You are enough. You are more than enough. Look for the right fit, and the right story to tell yourself. In the end, if you love your work, life can feel like a vacation. What’s the hurry? “Vienna waits for you… “I think of Billy Joel’s song.