Things You Shouldn’t Ignore… Outside the 9-5
You’ve finally made it! You have a job you enjoy and you’ve learned the basics. Now you’re focusing on impressing your superiors and perhaps even shooting for a promotion. As a young professional you probably have some competition… and because of this you might be putting in some extra effort here and there. This is a great way to build a strong career. However, if you “over-do” work and forget that you’re human things could get a little difficult.
If you don’t take care of your life outside of work you could be hindering your efforts at work! It is important that you maintain a healthy balance in all you do. Here are some pointers to help you stay level headed throughout your rise to the top of your game!
Every day, do something you enjoy doing outside of work.
If you don’t have something to look forward to on your way home from work your week can start to look like a “daily grind” sooner than you would like. Enjoying your job is important, however, you must have things which keep you going outside of work. The benefit of this is twofold. You have something to make you happy each day, and you have something to fall back on if things at work go wrong.
Stay in Shape!
It’s true that being in shape physically will keep you in shape mentally. There is ample research out there which shows that increased aerobic capacity means increased mental capacity. Exercise also boosts your immune system and relieves stress. These are all good things for YOU but your employer will appreciate your health too! The cost of healthcare skyrockets every year and employers are becoming vigilant about their employees health. By taking care of yourself you are saving your employer money and every frugal boss will appreciate your efforts!
Save your pennies!
A nice starting salary and your newfound buying power can be dizzying at first. You suddenly have 2 weeks of paid vacation and the means to take them….somewhere other than your backyard! In light of all your sudden wealth you should be cautious. Educate yourself on savings and investments. Always keep some money in the bank for emergencies and don’t think that it’s too early to save for retirement. If your company has a 401K program ask about the maximum contribution you can make and make it! You can’t count on social security being around when you’re old and gray… and chances are… you’ll need more money to retire because you’ll live longer than the last generation.
Know your Benefits
Educating yourself on what your benefits do and do not cover will save you money and time. Know your health plan, your life insurance plan, your retirement plan, whether or not your company offers stock options and financial planning, and what free services are available through the company. These are often referred to as EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs).
Maintain a Network Of Friends, Family, and Acquaintances Outside of Work
It is essential to have resources outside of work. The benefit of this is twofold. Having people to speak to about things outside of work is certainly a plus. However, knowing people in different fields with their own network of contacts is potentially beneficial to you. Even if you are happy with your current job and / or company it’s important to keep your “ducks” lined up if things went awry.
