In 2018 I honestly could believe how quickly the past 6 years had gone, especially the last 12 months and what a year it was. I would go as far as to say that although Athwal Resourcing had its most successful year at that time; it was arguably the most loss-bearing emotional year of my life, on a personal level.
For the first 6 months of the year, I spent a lot of my time supporting my family from career changes with my husband’s role and dealing with emotions of my teenage son who was sitting his GCSEs exams. Thankfully hubby’s hard work resulted in him finding a perfect role with the FA, any man’s dream! My son too successfully smashed his exams with flying colours. As my life returned to normal for a brief moment, I then found out that my mum was terminally ill with MDS (a rare blood disease) and work took a back seat and after months of hospital visits, she sadly passed away just before Christmas. An emotional rollercoaster!!
Why am I telling you this? I suppose the experiences from 2017 have had such a profound effect on me personally (as they would to anyone) and it has reinforced how important it is to enjoy life and make the most of life.
1) Appreciate life
It’s made me appreciate that you have to create the life you want to live and ensure that when life’s events take place, you deal with them as best you can. It’s helped me to appreciate some of the benefits of being my own boss, as it was important to be there for my husband and son through a very stressful time and it was equally important for me to have the flexibility needed to take my mom to all her appointments and spend quality time with her in her latter days.
2) Be grateful for things that you have
I am very grateful for everything I have, but mostly for the support, I have had. Not only from family and friends but also work acquaintances that have shown me so much support. I truly want to thank everyone who has been patient with me and believed that I could still deliver when I have worked with them on their recruitment campaigns and when helping individuals in their career-finding activities. I am truly grateful and humbled by your support and am so thankful.
3) As an employer, create a work environment that supports the wellbeing and mental health of your employees
Although the concept has been around for a long time, it’s so important to ensure as an employer, we put our employees’ well-being and mental health as number one priority over wealth and money. Understanding, listening to the human workforce will ensure a happy workforce, which in turn will always be more productive in the long run.
4) Ensure you create a great work-life balance or life-work balance
We spend around 50% of our total waking hours of our adult life at work! It’s so important to find a career that you enjoy, that you are passionate about, whilst making regular time for doing the things that are important to you as an individual.
I’ve written before about how important it is to find work that is enjoying and fulfilling. Staying in a job you hate has major negative consequences not only at work but also in the home life. It’s also just as important, though, to strike the right work-life balance or life-work balance. Even those of us who love our jobs can easily burn out if we overdo it. Enjoy life outside work, spend time with loved ones, and take time out for yourself whether it’s reading a book, running a marathon or chilling with a large glass of wine.
More importantly…
Take the time to slow down to enjoy and appreciate life and the people in life. Achieving your personal and work goals and having a successful career are important, however, it is just as important, (arguably more important in my opinion) to take the time out to be aware of those around you and some of the trials that they may be experiencing.
Remember:
“You are never too busy to take time out of your day for those who matter.” – Unknown
Finally, I would like to thank…
All our customers, both clients and candidates and to friends and colleagues for their patience and support during one of the most difficult moments of my life. Even when I had to take some time out of the business, you were there – to support and encourage me and just to listen.
Thank you!