All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy
For some time now I have wondered what’s wrong with me. Many of my friends have hobbies and favorite past times that keep them occupied during their free time. However, I look at my own life and keep thinking why don’t I have something like that? It’s been a long time since I could say I had a real hobby. When I’m not at my office I am spending time with my family or I succumb to the bad habit of bringing my work home with me. When I first started my affiliate business I wanted to go after niches that I was passionate about and had a good deal of knowledge in. But I always found myself struggling to find that niche. I’m married so I don’t date, I hate to watch sports on TV, I’m not a fanatic about golfing, hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. Even though I enjoy these things I’m no expert and couldn’t see myself promoting offers in these niches.
That’s when I started to dig deep and look at myself and asked what am I good at or enjoy doing other than cranking out websites and business applications? Then it hit me. Once upon a time I was a music major in college and spent 4 hours every day playing the piano. It’s been so long since I was able to keep up that routine but it was something I loved. Then I also remembered that I used to own a saltwater reef tank and what a sense of pleasure and fulfillment it brought. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love my family more than anything but we are all individuals. Everyone needs some down time now and again to do those things that bring personal fulfillment and satisfaction. For some people that’s hitting the links every Saturday morning for others that’s hiking Mt. Rainier over the weekend.
The old proverb:
All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy
really rang home to me and I realized that I was becoming that dull person. There’s a lot more to life than just work and even though I had balanced that well with my family I was still missing something. I have since started spending a little more time focusing on playing the piano and keeping a reef tank. Doing these two things have made a big difference. I’m not always thinking about work now and I have something that helps me unwind and also something I can share with my family & friends. I hope you have learned to balance work, family, and your personal time better than I had. I promise you that when you learn to do this you will find life much more enjoyable.
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This is a really important post for all the new affiliates who do nothing but either always thinking or working on some next project. I think just like me, others probably also failed to bring that balance between work and life. I can definitely tell you, since I have started my affiliate marketing biz. on side, my health has suffered. I haven’t been to the gym in last one year. The time I use to spent in the gym after work before, now I use that time for affiliate marketing, glued in front of the screen after work where I’m also glued at the screen for 8 hours. Something tells me that is really not healthy
It’s easy to get caught up in something, especially work. I know there have been times when I just couldn’t break away and I said to myself I just need 15 more minutes. That then turns into an hour or more. We all seem to think that more work means we are moving closer to our goal – whatever that may be. But… sometimes less is better. If you’re so overworked that you don’t have time for friends, family, or even yourself then why do you work at all? It’s a real balancing act that everyone struggles with at some point. I appreciate your insight Gagan and I love your site by the way.