About six months ago I decided to upgrade my personal brand – I got a new hairstyle. After much research, I decided to go with a very expensive keratin treatment, which I got at a great value (thanks Groupon). I loved it! My hair looked amazing and the compliments were almost overwhelming (almost). A couple months later, I decided to go for another treatment. This was new, shiny, organic, and another great value, so it had to be better. Sadly, to my dismay, it was not and my hair was worse than when I originally embarked on this mission.
I had just overdosed on too much of a good thing.
This episode coincided with a recent IDEA (Inktel’s Development and Excellence Academy) session on work-life balance. The whole experience had me asking myself: How can I find more balance in my life? Are there other areas in my life where I am overdoing it? I realized that there were:
- First, I looked at the people closest to me. My two sisters and several close friends all work in the contact center industry. This probably occurred due to similar characteristics, such as our joy of working with people. We all love working in a contact center environment, but I realized that constantly being surrounded by contact center professionals in my personal life may be overdoing it a little bit. So I made it a point to reach out to my friends in other fields, to learn more about what they do, broadening my horizons.
- I also looked at whom I interact with the most while at work. I realized I typically discuss ideas with the same crew of usual suspects. While I do this because we work well together and they have great ideas, I realized it keeps my perspective limited. I made it a point over the past few weeks to seek out a fresh perspective, whenever there is an issue or opportunity that needs to be explored.
- Next, I reevaluated my schedule. While having a regimen helps me get up every morning at 5 A.M. for the gym, it also has me missing weeknight events. I started seeking more of a balance, by skipping some early workouts in favor of evening with friends. This came in handy when reconnecting with friends who work in other industries.
- Finally, I realized that I am overloaded with ads and great deals, hence the two inexpensive hair treatments. Every day, I receive numerous e-mails about special offers and coupons in my mailbox. Initially, I jumped on these offers and spent happily. In the spirit of balance, I have eliminated several of the services, and I only buy the BEST deals on things I need (or really want)!
So here I am, six months later worse off in the hair category but wiser in the life long quest for balance.
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