Balancing Ambitions: Achieving work-life harmony while embracing the Tech Journey

A Glimpse into the Tech Odyssey

A few weeks back, I was at a friend’s place, Victor. A young growing adult in his early twenties, and a tech-bro you know, what you see when you load a website, parts with all the colors and all the buttons? Well, he's doing it for an exceptional startup earning him some excellent $$, but also means he has to pay with his blood as he's very busy with work and has less time for school and other things he used to do before he transitioned fully into tech.

Now I? I'm a bit like Victor too, not totally because I am also a Front-end Developer and Creative Writer, plus I'm in the same university, also in my final year. But there are other things I do - I go to the gym at least 3 times a week, while also currently enrolled in a 12-month Software Engineering course at ALX Africa among other things lol.

One day, as we were sitting, Victor looked at me and asked, "Hey, how do you do all that? You know, working, studying, and even going to the gym, all of it, in the same 24 hours that we all have?"

I didn't get an immediate answer, but his question got me thinking. I asked myself, "How do I do this?" Now, do not get me wrong, doing all these isn’t to depict I am hardworking, I just have a lot of things on my plate currently🙂. So I decided to take a moment and look back at how I approach my day. I wanted to understand what allowed me to do all this and here’s my thought.

Unveiling the Time Dilemma

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, “I don't have time” has become a common refrain. It's the shield we instinctively erect when faced with new tasks or responsibilities. Whether it's an invitation to a social event, a chance to learn something new, or a simple request for help, we often turn to this phrase, almost as if it has become familiar become a reflex.

However, in moments of reflection, we may realize that this instinctive reaction is not always rooted in reality. It is a conditioned response, a protective barrier we erect against the never-ending tide of obligation that seems to define our existence. But what if we paused and took a closer look at our day, week, or even month? What if we scrutinized our schedules and commitments with a clear eye?

What we may discover is that, often, we have time to meet these new demands. It's a realization that challenges the idea that our lives are linked by the incessant ticking of a clock. Instead, it reveals a series of untapped moments, hidden in our habits and schedules. This recognition is more than just finding time, it is about accepting the power of choice. It's about taking back control of our schedules, reshaping our priorities, and redefining our responses. The statement “I don't have time” may no longer serve as a reflexive shield but as an invitation to explore the true dimensions of our daily lives.

In the world of work, there is one skill that many people talk about and put on their CVs: Time Management. This skill is like a magic wand that promises to help you become super organized and efficient. Companies often look for it when hiring new people because they want their employees to know how to use their time wisely.

Imagine it's like having a superpower. You can schedule your tasks, get them done on time, and still have time to spend on other things you love. Sounds great, doesn't it?

But honestly, I beg to differ!

So let’s think of it this way, time has existed before anyone can remember. She saw the birth of stars and the evolution of life on Earth. It was there when people built great civilizations and when they died. “Time is the witness of history and prehistory and even before the concept of history existed”. While humans are at war trying to get a grip on time, time stands and ticks away calmly with no weapon. Honestly, how can you, a speck of dust with a life span of fewer than 100 years claim to have the power to manage time 🤡

Instead of controlling time, it often controls us. We end up being late to meetings, late to work, and even losing sleep just to have more time to get everything done. We rush from place to place, always on the move but never really going anywhere.

Time is like a puzzle that we cannot completely solve. It's about how we choose to use it. Time is a feeling inside of us, and it changes depending on how we think. This is why sometimes the first half of a football match seems shorter than the second. Or why does one ride feel faster when you take the second? Sometimes 10 minutes can feel very long when you're doing something you don't enjoy, but 5 hours can be short when you're with the people you care about. Time is money, but money can’t buy time, which is to show the extent of how independent time has, is, and will be.

I recently stumbled upon a tweet that carried a simple yet powerful message:

"If you want to get a degree and you think 4 years is too long, you don't get it. 4 years will come and you will not have the degree, go for it."

It's a philosophy we can apply to our everyday lives with equal vigor. If there's a dream to chase, a skill to master, or a change to enact, the time will pass regardless of whether we take action or not.

Time is like a pile of "now" lined up one after another. What we do in each "now" adds up and affects what happens to us. When your time is over, no amount of money can make it longer.

Time Management isn't just about using, managing, or mastering time effectively, it's about working ourselves and making effective use of every moment. It's like taking charge of our thoughts, what's important to us, and what we're doing right now. No one makes it out alive of the world at the end of the day, so be in control of how you spend your time because the only time you have is now.

You know, a lot of people want to do their jobs well and explore the amazing world of technology. It's like an adventure, full of new things to learn. But here's the hard part, we also want to make time for the other important things in life, like spending time with our family and doing the things we love or even learning the skill needed to do the job of their dream.

Imagine it like sailing on a great ocean. We want to go far and achieve our goals, but we also need to make sure our boat doesn't capsize or get lost in the waves.

How you use your time has everything to do with your traits, if you’re indecisive, aimless, and unclear about your objectives, you may find yourself working, giving the “I’m busy” response because you’re bad at scheduling tasks and managing your activities, you really could be doing much but accomplishing very little.

If you’re action-oriented and physical, you might function better with multiple tasks requiring less thinking and more action. You’ll find yourself drawn to tasks that allow you to manifest your dream in the real world.

Or you’re someone who spends much time in their head, you might be inefficient, and ineffective when you are assigned tasks that involve deep concentration.

In life, we are all like newcomers because we only have one chance to succeed. Each of us has our own way of doing things, but one very important thing to remember is not to assume you know everything about yourself. Take the time to really understand who you are, your strengths, and weaknesses, and what motivates you. Once you understand this, you can start living life in a way that works for you. It's like discovering your personal roadmap to a fulfilling life.

Navigating work-life balance

In our quest for work-life balance, I honestly do not think there is a one-size-fits-all solution, what works for me may not work for you. We are all different people, with different lives and circumstances. The key to finding balance lies within you. It's about the choices you make at every moment, your discipline, and your understanding of yourself. Remember the simple saying from my primary school: “Do the right thing at the right time”, whether you’re learning something new, pursuing your dreams, hitting the gym, or anything it could be, change your mindset from viewing each task as a chore, and find joy in them. Don't focus on the time required because you cannot control her. Instead, focus on how deeply involved you are in what you do. As you improve your skills and strengthen your body and mind, don't see time as your enemy, think of it as a companion. Enjoy every moment and success will follow. It's not just about time management; it's about living well in every moment you have.

That’s my 2-bit 🙂, till next time ✌️.