In The Community
How does one measure success? We surely all have different ideas about what being successful means, but wouldn't you agree that in this day and age, we're bombarded with the idea that money and a career equal success?
Not long ago, gymnast Simon Biles made headlines when she announced that she was retiring from the Olympics; this got many people talking about how she could have given up on something after working so hard for it, but it also opened a discussion on why it’s essential to know when to quit something for your own sake.
We’re often told that working hard should be a priority, and this thought is heavily perpetuated in Latino households, and with good reason. Immigrants and children of immigrants often have to overcome more obstacles than their white counterparts to achieve their goals, and many are trying to break generational economic instability to create a better future for themselves moving forward.
The burden of seeking security and safety in a system not built for feels daunting, but no matter what the circumstances are, if you don't put yourself as a priority in your life, nothing you achieve will ever be fulfilling because your mental and even physical health will always suffer from it. And what is the point of achieving success if you can't enjoy it?
Knowing when to leave something behind for your own good is just as important as achieving goals. As backward as it sounds, sometimes growth comes from knowing when to quit and when to change paths. So if you think you might be reaching a breaking point, here are some signs that you've burned yourself out, and that it’s time to take care of yourself:
Your Body is Telling You
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Mental exhaustion can often manifest as physical exhaustion. Stress-related illnesses are way more common than they should be, and signs that you've exhausted yourself can be anything from headaches to insomnia. So listen to yourself and rest.
You've Lost Passion for your Work
Not everyone has the privilege of having a job related to their passions, but burnout can be even easier to detect for those who do. When something that you were passionate about before becomes a tedious task that you almost have to force yourself to complete, it's probably time to move on. And this doesn't mean quitting your passion forever; sometimes you just need a break or a change of scenery, but whatever it is you need, forcing yourself to do something you don't want to will only make you resent it.
Your Work-Life Balance is Becoming Non-Existent
A job shouldn't be your whole life; it should only be a part of it. If you find yourself completely consumed by your work, to the point where your personal life is affected, there's something wrong. Burnout is unavoidable without a work-life balance and is essential to a healthy work environment. You should always be able to spend time with friends and family or simply do whatever you want in your free time, which is genuinely free.
You Feel Undervalued or Unfulfilled
Photo by Pavel Neznanov on UnsplashIf you often ask yourself, what am I even doing this for? And if you can't find an answer, it's probably time to reconsider your goals. Working hard will get you nowhere if you've lost sense of what your end goal is, and the thing is, it is normal for our end goals to change constantly. Just because you desperately wanted something before doesn't mean you can't change your mind. Once that mindset shift happens, we often try to convince ourselves to just power through it and keep going, but we could also use those feelings to ask ourselves, is this really what I want to be doing? Furthermore, you might feel like it isn't you that's the problem, but how those around you perceive your work, being upset because you feel undervalued, is perfectly reasonable and also calls for a goal realignment.
You're Not Yourself Anymore
And living your best life is what you deserve. If the path to your goals has become a burden instead of a hard road, losing track of who you are and what you want to achieve is easy. But at the end of the day, your life is yours only, and if you don't make yourself a priority, who will?
So yes, hard work might be important, but it'll never be more important than your mental health, stability, and personal life. For more on how to take care of yourself, please visit our mental health and resources guide, and remember you are never alone.
Merit, Not Gratitude: Reclaiming Our Professional Accomplishments
Professionalism has been defined to me in a myriad of ways, but I distinctly remember being told once early on in one of my first office jobs that my facial expressions were “unprofessional” and “overly expressive” for the nature of my role.
This feedback was met by me with confusion. After all, what does my face have to do with being a professional? I soon realized that this feedback was given by a coworker of mine who frequently engaged in microaggressions towards me, her attributing my normally loud voice, clothing, hairstyle, direct communication style, and overall expressiveness to me being “such a Latina.”
I’ve had this conversation a lot recently with my friends. We’re finding that although we’ve always worked to be in professional roles, we’re also finding out that these “amazing” jobs we’re given aren’t all they appear to be.
Many of us grew up in homes where going to college and landing a professional job would be considered the pinnacle of success. To many Latine and immigrant parents, having their children occupy professional spaces complete with degrees and fancy benefits is the ultimate dream.
However, once we’re in these spaces, many of us discover that we’re not in a place to express anything negative with either the work or the office, only to be told “be grateful for having a job like yours, mija!”
Expressing any of this means running the risk of being dismissed as too picky and being told to be grateful for the opportunities. But doing so means we’re compromising some of the best skills in our professional toolbox: autonomy to make decisions and advocate for ourselves.
I’m far from the only Latina who has been told to deal with mistreatment from employers and that I should be happy to be included. Which is why we need to redefine how professionalism works for us.
It’s time to set the record straight on why Latina professionals shouldn’t be grateful to just be included in these spaces.
Latinas are setting the new normal of what it means to be an accomplished professional through advocacy for our working lives. Being a professional woman, especially a Latina, doesn’t mean we let ourselves become doormats to our employers. Inclusivity isn’t a reason to take mistreatment or abuse from an employer.
With a good title and salary also comes stress, obligations, and an overcommitment to work and situations we weren’t initially prepared to navigate. The leadership skills we develop can end up being reframed as too “aggressive,” while being expected to adjust to microaggressions and workloads that don’t give us any space to exist outside of our jobs. On top of all of this, the shiny benefits like paid time off don’t actually get used when we’re stressfully checking emails after working hours.
There’s real value in being a Latina professional that’s able to advocate for herself. This includes joining Latino-focused, professional development groups, finding an online community to network, working to create your own spaces/groups in your field for others, and forming camaraderie among your professional contacts that are feeling just as displaced as you are.
While I will always disagree with the notion that Latinas need to be expected to say “gracias!” for even having a space at the table, I know it’s important to use our positions of power to make sure there’s a seat for the ones coming after.
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We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but sometimes it feels like life’s game is set on “hard mode.” Between family, work, and that yoga class you swore you'd stick to, finding time can feel like searching for that tiny earring back you dropped on the floor. (Why is it always so hard to find?), but with a sprinkle of wisdom and organization, everything is possible.
Here are seven time management tips that can hopefully help you navigate through the chaos:
Prioritize Like a Boss
Every day comes with its share of tasks, and let’s be real, some are more important than others. The first step is to identify what truly deserves your attention. Maybe it's that school project you’ve been procrastinating on for days or finally fixing the bathroom sink. Write down each and every one of your tasks, big and small, and rank them focusing on what is more urgent and important. You can even use the Eisenhower Box method to help divide them. Once you know what's top-tier, it becomes much easier to allocate your energy effectively. You'll be surprised how much time you save when you know what to focus on.
Batch it up
Just like how you organize your favorite playlists or photo albums, group similar tasks together. For instance, instead of responding to emails sporadically throughout the day, designate specific blocks of time for them. This technique, known as batching, cuts down on the mental chaos that comes from constantly shifting gears between different activities and can help maximize your efficiency (and potentially avoid feeling overwhelmed!)
The Pomodoro Technique
This time management technique consists of setting a timer for 25 minutes and working without distraction. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break. And during your break, how about doing something you love? Maybe put on your favorite song, enjoy a cup of café con leche, or just do some deep breathing exercises. Especially beneficial for those with ADHD who might find prolonged focus challenging, this method combines diligence with a moment of relaxation. It's all about work and play!
Say "No" More Often
This is a tough one, especially if you're the kind who hates to let anyone down or is prone to FOMO. But stretching yourself too thin doesn't do anyone any favors. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize yourself and your goals. By not overcommitting, you ensure better quality in what you undertake and reduce unnecessary stress.
Use Technology Wisely
With smartphones practically glued to our hands, why not use them to our advantage? Organization and time management apps like Todoist, Trello, or even Google Calendar can be lifesavers. Set reminders (as many as you need to), create lists, or block out your day hour-by-hour. Technology is your friend—embrace it!
Delegate When You Can
You know the saying, "It takes a village"? Well, sometimes managing your time means leaning on that village. Sometimes managing your time means leaning on others. Maybe it's collaborating with a colleague on a task or asking family members to help with chores. Delegating doesn't mean you're avoiding responsibility; it means you're working smarter.
Self-care Isn't a Luxury
Last but not least, make time for yourself. This isn't just about face masks and spa days, though those are great too. It's about setting aside time to do things that genuinely recharge your soul, whether it’s spending some quality time with the people you love or a quiet evening all by yourself. Listening to yourself and giving your mind a break is an essential part of time management.
Time management isn't about packing more into your day; it's about making the most of the moments you have. And with a dash of strategy and a sprinkle of self-awareness, you'll be mastering the minutes in no time.
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