Work Life Balance?

While most Hong Kongers that I have talked to think the Americans are lazy bums, the radio is now talking about how we should cut back on our hours and take our lives back. Is there really such a thing as work life balance now that we have learned to practically identify ourselves with the work that we do? I’m not concurring with the workalcoholic way of life, but it’s almost just the norm these days. People are always talking about finding a career where your passion lies, but passion doesn’t end at the end of the work day. Or, at least it shouldn’t… The point is how exactly do you differentiate work from leisure if you are one of the lucky few that get to do what they love?

My manager has just talked to me about not going over a certain number of hours in the month of October. This is the first time I’ve been asked to limit my hours, but with the amount of work I have to do, that’s just not possible. Having come from a project where it’s totally acceptable to work 80 hour weeks and have $10k dinners, this request just seems strange to me… I simply can’t understand why the budget is so tight. Oh well, another sign of poor planning. (And, I’m sure this will not be the last time I see this.)

I was thinking of my choice in career again last night, and I think God must have had a purpose when he put me here. After all, he gave me the promotion when a lot of equally qualified people were denied the opportunity. But, whatever that purpose is… I have yet to find. I can do a good job at what I do, but I honestly can’t see myself as an executive here. There are just way too much politics, but I guess in the end, it’s all just a numbers game. Oh well, just keep praying, I guess.