When I was a junior associate in Big Law, there were a number of popular "tricks" to try to keep work and life "separate." These included,
- Having 2 cellphones, one for work, one for life;
- Trying not to answer emails after-hours or on weekends, and getting really upset when we inevitably had to;
- Trying to keep work friends at a distance (compared to life friends); and
- Saying things like, "I'm here to work, not to make friends!"
As I progressed in my career and watched excellent, inspiring leaders in action, I realized that great leaders don't try to separate work and life.
Rather, they try to re-align both work and life, in the same direction, towards a higher / larger purpose.
Work is part of life; and, as importantly, life is part of work, too.
If work and life are aligned in the same direction, ANYTHING you do to advance your life advances your work, and vice versa.
A friend is a friend, whether at work, or in life.
Like a rowing boat: better if work and life row in the same direction.
Don't separate work and life. Re-align them towards higher purpose.
