Career versus life

Technology has changed our lives forever but has it changed it for the better?

We are now connected 24/7 vi our phones, our laptops, our ipads, at home and at work and when we're at home, somehow we find we are still connected to work courtesy of blackberry's and virtual networks.  It's never ending and surely not healthy.

Am I the only one who feels they don't have time to breathe and feels constantly over-whelmed by the sheer volume of work?  I liken it to being in a bad relationship...you're unhappy, burnt out, unloved and feel the grass is potentially greener but scared that perhaps this is what a relationship is like and maybe it's just the fact I have unrealistic expectations.

I question if having a career, particularly a career in FMCG means I need to accept I will have to work evenings and weekends, or is it just the company I work at?

If it's the way it is then I question is it worth it?  Do I want to be the type of person who never feels completely relaxed? Doesn't even have as much time as I'd like for friends and family, for sleep and exercise?      

I'd be really interested in other people's thoughts and feelings?  How do you achieve a good work life balance and importantly how do you switch off from the never ending to do list that churns in your head?

I'd love to hear your thoughts before I decide I really have just about had enough and go and work on a farm or something....(if only I could afford to)!

   
             

Life's too short...

Last night I watched the 'Pride of Britain' ad it blew me away.  I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but it really resonated and made me think once again...why am I wasting my life? 

Here is how it goes...and I am really hoping to god there are people out there that feel the same way...

Alarm goes off in the morning and I generally wake up feeling like I've been punched in the head, (OK a bit of an exaggeration but I'm knackered)...

Get up, make a cup of tea, get ready and leave the house.. 

Drive to work listening to one of my many Cd's. This weeks choice is Swedish House Mafia, which really gets me in the mood for some fast driving. During the drive I daydream about how productive I'm going to be...

Arrive at work anywhere between 7.30/8 am even though I don't start until 9, switch on my laptop, make a coffee and check my emails...

However, there is something weird that happens between me getting out of the car and looking at my emails...it's like an energy sucker that sucks all life and motivation out of me and lingers for the rest of the day. I sit at my desk thinking of all the work I need to do and before I know it another hour has gone....and then another one...between  looking at emails, browsing the web, spending my time in pointless meetings or speaking to, quite frankly pointless people and hen before you know it,, it's home time, which generally means taking the lap top home to try and catch up with the work I should have been doing if it wasn't for the fact I spent all day in meetings...

...and all the time I am thinking, you know what...if it wasn't for the debt and therefore the money, I'd do something worthwhile instead and so another day of my life is wasted...