One of the hardest things about living in NYC is that there are a MILLION things to do and be apart of. Now I’m not complaining, but being an overachieving perfectionist means wanting and feeling I need to be apart of it all… especially when I find myself in one of the coolest professional communities ever. However, this October has brought me some new insights.
First off, I have been sick with a cold for almost two weeks straight. 1) I hardly ever get sick and 2) Once sick I never STAY sick. So I have to stop and ask myself why I’ve been sick for so long. I haven’t changed my eating habits, I still make time to work out most days a week, so my body itself is in pretty good condition to fight off disease. That leaves one answer, I’m going too hard at life! It’s got to be it, and therefore I need to do something about it.
When I look at my schedule compared to some others, I think wow they are REALLY going hard at life, I can’t even compare. But my first learning for this month, is that it’s about what I can handle, and not about others. There is no reason to compare the two. My body simply cannot handle what I’m putting it through. Then I think, well how am I supposed to succeed as a freelancer if I don’t get out there and show myself? And lastly, I really enjoy my craft and the people I’ve met and am going to meet. What’s a UXer to do??
One thing: work/live smarter, not harder. This is learning number 2.
In my attempt to meet others, network, find work, and help out in the UX world, I’ve lost some of my non UX self. In my balancing act, I need to ensure that I make time for this part of me, because exercising it brings creativity and personality to my work which is my differentiator. Also in my attempt to work/live smarter I’ve decided I need to pursue those things that I really enjoy as opposed to those that I think that I “should” go to. To work smarter is to be aware of one’s self, my base, my talents, what I need to work on, etc. This always needs to be top of mind, or I’ll be grasping for straws and trying to improve and enhance everything all at once, which is where I have been at for too long. Lastly, I’ve taken everything that has been in my mind as “I have to get this done” written it down, and prioritized it. I’ll focus on the top priority until it is done or at a stand still, then move down the list. The most important part is that highest priority doesn’t always mean right now, it means work on first.
So that was my October so far. I’m still a work in progress (and always will be!), however I think that I am on my way to a balanced state. One that I can maintain and one I can be happy to call my life. Now… to kick this cold!
UX
Freelancing
Self Development