You Can Successfully Manage Your Work Life with Your Passions—Here’s How

Yes, it is possible to have a career while pursuing your passions on the side

If you have a career that fulfills you totally and completely—pays the bills, taps into your creative side, and makes use of the analytical side of your brain"”then consider yourself lucky. It's not exactly a rare thing to come across someone whose job marries both their work and passions, but it definitely doesn't happen too frequently, either. If you're wondering if you can pursue your passions while still balancing your work and personal life, the quick answer is yes. Read on further to find out how.

Figure out what it is you're passionate about

For many, this requires no brainstorming. There are those who already know what they're passionate about, and perhaps have been practicing it for most of their lives, but there are also those who aren't too sure about what it is they want to pursue. If that's you, worry not! You've come to the right place. Reflect on what fuels you creatively"” what's that one thing that, in a perfect world where you have all the resources that you need, you would pursue it in a heartbeat? That's your passion.

Set priorities

Once you've got figured it out, whether just recently or you've known it your whole life, remember to set priorities. Your job, whether you like it or not, will have to come first. (But that won't always be the case, as you'll see later.) You have a responsibility to your employers to remain professional and prioritize them and the work you've committed to be doing for them. But of course, you can also play it by ear and set your priorities based on what you think matters the most.

Make a to-do list

Making a to-do list matters! It will clear your brain and show you what things you need to accomplish, including your hobbies and passions. If you've got a busy schedule, making time for these absolutely makes a difference. You don't want to get swallowed up by work completely, lest you defeat the purpose of finding time to manage your work life with your passions.

Go for it

After you've set your priorities straight and you have that schedule or to-do list in your hands, it's time for you to dive right in. Grow your plant babies, meet-up with your tennis partner, go write that novel that's always been brewing inside your head. You're not getting any younger, so might as well take the opportunity now. Remember: as long as you've laid out how much time you're going to allot to your hobbies and to your job, you'll be fine!

But don't rush it

The most important thing about this process is to give it some time. Don't rush it, as you might end up feeling too frustrated if you struggle with balancing your work, personal life, and hobbies. Don't except to get the hang of it immediately as well. What matters is that you are on the track to pursuing your passions, or doing your hobbies, even though you have a plate full of obligations at work!

About JobStreet.com

JobStreet.com is a leading online job board presently covering the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. JobStreet.com currently services over 230,000 corporate hirers and over 15 million jobseekers in its database.

About SEEK Asia

JobStreet.com and jobsDB are part of SEEK Asia, which is the leading online employment market place in Asia. SEEK Asia covers 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

SEEK Asia is the extension of the Australian Securities Exchange listed company called SEEK. The company's purpose is to help improve people's lives through a better career. SEEK Asia's database consist of over 500,000 corporate hirers and over 24 million candidates.