![\"This](\"https:\/\/kodifyit.com\/Main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/The-Pursuit-of-Balance-Managing-a-Multi-Stream-Life-1024x585.jpg\")
See more articles, posts, and discussions about business, project management, Generative AI and Creative Writing on Medium here<\/a>. If you have not already, subscribe to Medium<\/a>. Or follow me here<\/a> on Substack.<\/em><\/p>\r\n At the beginning of last year, I decided to grow my company, which until then had been a convenience. So now I had a whole new set of tasks to manage in addition to my day job and private life. On top of this, I had always wanted to write but always found excuses not to. I finally took the plunge at the beginning of 2023 by starting my Medium publication; a month later, I joined Substack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I\u2019ll be the first to admit that 2023 was chaotic, at best. I fell down so many rabbit holes that seemed like a good idea at the time, but I only wasted time doing anything except the tasks that would mean leaving my comfort zone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n How To Handle Leaving Your Comfort Zone <\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This year, 2024, is the year to organise all four major life streams seriously and properly. I\u2019ve had plenty of time recently to think things through. As a knowledge worker, physical activity is a welcome downtime for the brain; the recent, ongoing, but nearly complete kitchen renovation has given me plenty of time to ruminate on the mistakes made over the last 12 months and, more importantly, how to resolve them from now on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If I let it, managing an extensive suite of interrelated applications will take all my mental energy. Not every application was built using a common technology base; instead, the base application dates from 2011 and is, in effect, a desktop application. Later, applications were web-based, where the only common denominator was the database they all worked with.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Supporting clients and developers is always challenging, and the temptation to dismiss requests for assistance must be resisted. It is easy to forget that things that are self-evident and obvious to us are most certainly a mystery to others. We must remember that we\u2019ve been working in various fields for many years, so it\u2019s unreasonable to expect anywhere near the same level of knowledge as our own.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In days gone by, I used my commuting time to think about the coming day\u2019s plan of attack on the way to the office and check things off on my way home. I never listened to music; my busy mind required peace and quiet. On top of this, I would often check my work email several times in the evening and periodically over the weekends.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If this sounds familiar, don\u2019t do this anymore. The first thing to change is email checking; never look at the work email during your time off. The only exceptions are for emergencies, which, fortunately, are rare. Another change is how we spend time during the daily commute. For example, listen to podcasts or audiobooks instead of thinking about work. They open the mind and provide a balance to the daily stresses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Hopefully, you\u2019re enjoying this post. If you want to say \u2018thank you, \u2018 the best way is to clap, highlight, and get involved in the comments. And my promise to you\u2026If you get in touch, I will answer! So clap, highlight and comment away\u2026<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I realise I was too nice last year; a better description would be that I have been guilty of ridiculous naivety. When I saw a job vacancy that stated the requirements of either full-time, on-site, or both, I would skip the vacancy and look further.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What I now understand is that I have valuable skills and experience. Vacancies are always worded in such a way to describe an ideal candidate. The truth is that there is a need that I could fulfil, but only under my terms and conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I\u2019m an idiot, or am I? Starting a business after 60 <\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n No matter how many hours you can spare for consultancy work, for recruiters, several hours per week is better than nothing, even if it\u2019s a short-term temporary contract until a more flexible candidate can be found. I have one day a week this year for other consultancy work, perhaps more in the future, depending on how things pan out. This is it for this year; take it or leave it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We should all know our worth, so when you see an opportunity this year, grab it with both hands; if it doesn\u2019t work out, fine. But don\u2019t undervalue yourself anymore; at a minimum, your name and expertise will become more widely known.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stick to your guns; you can offer only so much, no matter how green the grass looks on the other side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I love writing, always have, and it fits perfectly in my introvert mindset. I\u2019m sure at least some of you reading this feel much the same, but unless you sit down and write, you will regret it later in life. I never had the guts to put my scribblings out there; I was always worried that I wasn\u2019t good enough. Good enough for whom, though, if it is something you want to do, do it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I\u2019m finally picking up a book I started writing six years ago. It will be my first; undoubtedly, it won\u2019t be terrific, but I don\u2019t care anymore. When it\u2019s finished, I\u2019ll self-publish and have a few print-on-demand copies made. Just so I can hold it in my hands and think, I made this.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When we write, our primary reason for doing so should be for our satisfaction. It would be great if we could sell a few copies; obviously, we\u2019d like to sell more than a few. The point is to get it out there, learn from the experience and start writing the next one and the next.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Life is so short, and though I never allow myself to regret anything, I\u2019d have started writing decades ago if I had my time again. I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s too late now, only that my time is limited. Apart from the already-started but never finished book, I also have several ideas for short stories. One of which I\u2019m thinking of serialising on Substack. I\u2019m a bit nervous about this, but reader feedback would be valuable overall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The only way to be a writer is to write. But this takes time, and if we think that we can squeeze in an hour or so now and again, we\u2019d never get anything finished. The solution is to time-block. Make an appointment in your diary; I will spend two hours writing every Saturday and Sunday morning, starting at 7 AM. Then treat the work like you would an appointment with a client; don\u2019t be late, and don\u2019t simply not turn up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Last but not least is this weekly newsletter. I\u2019ve never journaled, although I\u2019ve tried many times. These newsletters take the place of journaling. Whatever, they certainly help me get my thoughts in order. Hopefully, they may help you, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We are told that the most important thing in life is family, and this is important. But how often do you push the family to the bottom of your priority list to be able to support a client or follow your muse? I\u2019ve been guilty of this over the last few years. It\u2019s time for a change before I lose everything.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Quality time with loved ones is the only thing that matters; memories and precious moments will accompany us to our graves. When we reach our last days, do you really think you\u2019ll look back at your professional life? The only part of life that matters is family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n My wife and I have been together for over twenty years; starting this year, I\u2019ll be asking her out on a date at least once a month. More if possible. When I\u2019m busy planning my agenda, I\u2019ll leave large spaces free for family time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As a busy professional, letting your partner take responsibility for organising family events and vacations is easy. Instead, get involved as much as you can. Even if you aren\u2019t interested or in the mood, do it anyway. Show that you care. Making those around you happy will always make you happiest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So, how do we manage all of these sometimes conflicting lifestreams? A simple calendar or diary will do just fine. I use Notion and Fantastical to detail and time-block the different tasks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I don\u2019t plan out the hours for the day job; in general, I leave these hours blank in my calendar. This may change, though; perhaps it would be helpful to be able to visualise my commitments fully. If nothing else, It\u2019d ensure I leave myself enough personal downtime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Next up is writing time; this gets added to Fantastical as several recurring appointments. On Friday for the newsletter and on Saturdays and Sundays for creative writing. As mentioned before, these appointments must be treated like any other appointment; they must be set in stone. Only exceptional circumstances should be allowed to disrupt the planning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Overwork: The Stealthy Assassin of Cre\\ativity <\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Lastly, the various aspects and administration required for my solopreneur business. These are flexible in their nature, depending on client appointments and any administration tasks. The majority of Fridays are for business tasks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This leaves me free for private and personal life every evening and weekend, excluding the creative writing time block.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The above sounds simple to plan and execute, but unless I stick to the appointments, it will quickly descend into the same chaos I went through last year. Self-discipline is the key.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Although 2023 was chaotic, it was an incredibly valuable learning experience. Basically, how not to run or ruin your life. Planning and sticking to the plan is the only way this will work. I\u2019ll report back in the newsletter now and again so that you can see if I practice what I preach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Suppose you are also struggling and juggling so many tasks that you can never get things under control. Honestly, you must take a step back and think about your priorities. Cut things out that don\u2019t deliver enough value for your limited time. Concentrate only on the things that matter; get these under control first.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And if you are finding yourself struggling, drop me a comment. A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n See more articles, posts, and discussions about business, project management, human nature, Generative AI and Creative Writing on Medium here<\/a>. If you have not already, subscribe to Medium<\/a>. Or follow me here<\/a> on Substack. The Substack newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I would appreciate the support; you won\u2019t regret it. 👍<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nServicing Contracts and Learning When to Switch Off<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Solopreneurship<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Fanning the Creative Flames<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cultivate a Fulfilling Personal Life<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Life](\"https:\/\/kodifyit.com\/Main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Multiple-Life-Streams.jpg\")
\r\n\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n
Time Management<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Final Thoughts<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n