In some cases, having a second job is beneficial. With additional employment, you often boost your income significantly. As a result, it may be easier to cover expenses, save for a financial goal, or pay off debts that are weighing you down.
However, balancing a second job is potentially tricky. You need to find ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance while still meeting the expectations of both employers. Fortunately, some strategies make it easier. Here are some tips to get you started.
Embrace Your Calendar
One of the most significant risks of working two jobs is ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks, professionally or personally. By using your calendar, it’s far easier to track your various obligations. Plus, it allows you to formally block out time for critical activities, reducing the odds of struggling to make all the pieces fit together.
Another benefit of using your calendar is that it lets you see when you have time available for yourself. Then, you can formally schedule self-care or recreational activities in those spaces, ensuring you’re doing what you need to do to keep your mood up.
Track Your Progress
Most people get a second job for a specific reason, such as achieving a financial goal. If you’re worried that your motivation may wane, find ways to track your progress in a way that boosts your mood. For example, a chart posted on your fridge that you get to fill in as you get closer to your goal reminds you about what you’ve achieved. Similarly, a list showing declining debt totals lets you see that your efforts are making a difference.
Plus, this approach lets you know precisely when you achieve your goal. Then, you can decide if you want to target something new or if that marks the moment when it’s time to shift back to a single position.
Select the Right Second Job
Choosing the right second job makes a significant difference if you’re concerned about maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Ideally, you want an employer that has reasonable expectations, particularly when it comes to your hours.
Going with a company that may ask for more of your time isn’t ideal if you’re working elsewhere, too. As a result, it’s better to find an employer who’s comfortable with limited part-time hours if that’s all you can reasonably offer.
Opting for something that offers a mix of predictability and flexibility may also work in your favor. Set hours can make planning easier, but the ability to scale back occasionally can give you critical breathing room.
Finally, consider finding a second job counterpoint to your primary one. For example, if you have a desk job during the day, find something more active for your second one. By doing that, you have different experiences during the week. Plus, a physically active position can serve as your exercise, giving you one less thing you need to fit into your schedule.
Ultimately, it is possible to balance a second job successfully. If you’d like to learn more or seek new job opportunities, GSG Talent Solutions wants to hear from you. Contact us today.