Here’s an excerpt from my interview with Hao Nguyen from Balance the Grind. You can read the full piece and interviews with other people over on the site.
What is your current role and what does it entail on a day to day basis?
Currently in my business, I’m in roles that require me as a strategic communications advisor, social media specialist, stakeholder and community engagement consultant, copywriter.
In my role as a counselling student I’m on placement at a crisis centre as a counsellor in training, caseworker support, communications consultant and general helper to do whatever is needed in the unpredictable day-to-day at a small NFP.
Without the fanfare of titles, this means I’m thinking, writing, reading, listening, talking and walking (I like to be active and on the move!).
What does a typical day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
Here is a glance at my recurring weekly calendar entries, which is more telling than looking at a day:
- brand and communications client workshop (we’re currently working through a re-brand)
- daily social channel management
- content creation
- placement at the crisis centre
- weekly classes at uni on campus or online
- volunteering on Mondays and Wednesdays (I tutor school students through Weave), and
- admin working on my business
I spread my ‘workdays’ out through the week from Mon-Sun, so it looks like a lot but actually very manageable and enjoyable – it suits the way my brain works and the lifestyle I want at this stage of my life and career.
Do you have any tips, tricks or shortcuts to help you prioritise your workload?
I use my calendar to ‘plan’ my day, then I move things around depending on how the day actually pans out. Knowing what I need to get done and being realistic about how and when, then being flexible to move things around without getting flustered is key.
In between your job, life and all your other responsibilities, how do you ensure you find some sort of balance in your life?
I’ve redefined balance as something that isn’t of equal proportions, rather, feeling balanced within myself and my sense of being. If I find myself feeling too much of something for too long, I know I’m out of balance so I’ll make time to reflect on what and why, then make adjustments.
What do you think are some of the best habits you’ve developed over the years to help you strive for success and balance?
Open and honest communication with myself and others, self reflection, re-assessing my values, reading widely, a continuous learner mindset, and staying connected with a diversity of people and places helps grow my feeling, thinking and sense of being.
9) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?
Planning the night before for what I would like to see happen the next day, from tasks and client work to mindset and wellbeing. Then being able to comfortably roll with whatever the day brings.