As Team Wiking’s 7th blogiversary approaches, I’ve partnered with HP & Intel to share some of my thoughts from behind the blog. I don’t normally discuss business here, but I’ve been self-employed since 2010 and only now do I feel like I’m in my happy place.
It has been such a struggle to find the perfect work-life balance, especially after Søren was born in 2012. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no secret formula that automatically makes being self-employed easier. The thought that you will have more time to do the things you’d like to do when you’re working for yourself is a myth. The day doesn’t magically become longer than 24 hours simply because you are your own boss. I’ve found that the best way for me to work is to go with the flow. Sometimes it means working odd hours, or having flexible to-do lists that change from day to to, but mostly it just means working from my happy place.
Now that Søren is older, I’ve come to realize that my happy place is anywhere near my family. While I have times that I need to get stuff done, most of my work can be done more casually. Despite my love for travel, the happiest place I can think of is at home on our couch. When we’re home, it’s the place in our house where we spend the bulk of our time together as a family. We play games, we talk, we laugh, and I even spent some time there during Søren’s birth. So when I am not in get-stuff-done mode but still need to work, the happiest place I can be is on that couch, with the kids playing around me. The ultra-portable HP Stream 8 with Intel Inside® allows me to hang out with them and enjoy their company at the same time. I can pause when I’d like to interact more with them, and when I’m on the go free 4G data right out of the box makes it easier for me to stay in contact with them.
4 Tips to Find Your Happy Place:
- First and foremost, your happy place should be somewhere that you are most happy.
- Are you there in quiet or are you surrounded by loved ones?
- What does the space look like? Mine is calm in a usually chaotic living space.
- Is your space complete or do you need tools to be productive? I need my water bottle and notebooks near.
Have you thought about where your happy place is? I’d love to hear about it, use the hashtag #WorkFromHappyPlace on social media.
I’d also love to hear about any other tips or tricks you have for your perfect work/life balance in the comments below!
This discussion is sponsored by HP & Intel. All opinions, text, and images are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make life here at Team Wiking a little sweeter.
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