Life / Work Balance

This is my first post, and I've decided not to be about technology (just yet). I rather talk about this moment in my life and career that I want to share.

I am a workaholic just like you (probably)!

For the past 20 years, I've put my job and career as a top priority of my life, starting as a software developer, software engineer, tech lead, IT manager, and CTO. You know, this insane IT world we live in. Consume knowledge and learn new skills, develop software, create teams, lead teams, rebalance teams, design and create systems, troubleshoot systems in production, fix systems, repeat!

Have you ever heard people saying "my work, is my life"? This is not accurate or good. Yes, working is a very important part of your life and gives you satisfaction sometimes accomplishment. It is not your entire life though.

I think life is actually the people you know and the people who know you. And to me, it is all about these relationships. Your family, your friends, your co-workers, your customers, your acquaintances. We can't "measure" life, but if we could, it would be based on the impact you cause on others.

Do something else other than work or learn. Take your time and share it with the people around you. Listen, hug, have lunch, argue (even about work!), advise, care.

If you learn a new skill and don't share the knowledge or build a new platform, and don't invite anyone, I think is not worth it. Don't even make any sense.

There is no harm in taking one sprint or two really focused and excuse yourself from social life for a while. But do not make this a habit, because once a workaholic, it is very hard to leave this downward spiral.