How to work two jobs and not go crazy

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It is important to correctly choose a part-time job and take care of yourself.

According to a survey conducted, part-time jobs are most often taken by doctors and teachers, less often - storekeepers and cooks by a major job search service, every sixth Russian has a part-time job. Working more than the standard 40 hours a week is hard and can lead to fatigue and burnout.

Career development counselors provide advice to help you juggle two jobs and keep your peace of mind.

1. Choose a part-time job correctly

It is important to consider several points at once:

• Money. Is the game worth the candle at all and will the part-time job give you enough finances to not only compensate for labor costs, travel and fatigue, but also make a profit.
• Distance. If the second job is far from the first and from your home, it may be better to choose a remote option.
• Field of activity. Think about whether you will be comfortable doing the same things you do in your main job. Or, in order not to burn out, look for options in a related area. Or maybe just take a closer look at an activity that does not require special preparation. Let's say you are a translator and it will be very difficult for you to deal with texts for a couple of hours a day, but it will be a little easier to get an hourly nanny, walk dogs or even knit to order.
• Pleasure. At least one of the jobs should bring not only money, but also joy. Otherwise, you will quickly fizzle out and all this will turn into endless hard labor.
• Time. If you work eight hours each day, working another five hours each day, or working all weekend will be almost overwhelming. But spending a couple of hours a couple of times a week is quite real. Try to figure out which regimen will be comfortable for you.
• An experience. Are there any important skills you can hone or learn from scratch in your second job? Will she provide an interesting experience that you can then write on your resume, and will she give you useful acquaintances?

2. Tune in for good

Yes, two jobs are hard. Yes, this is most often a forced measure, and not everyone has to work so hard. Yes, you can start feeling sorry for yourself.

But if you constantly think about exactly this side of the question: that you have to plow, that there is no one to help you, that you are tired - you will only get more angry and exhausted.

So try to focus on the positives. For example, on the opportunities that the second job gives. Or what kind of experience you will get and what projects you can replenish your portfolio with. How will your value in the labor market grow in the end and how will you pay off debts or save up for things that are important to you. What a fine fellow you are, after all, if you cope with a double load and correctly distribute your energy and time.

3. Determine what is most important to you

Most likely, you found a second job because you need an additional source of income. But do not forget that in addition to money, career, experience, connections, long-term goals also matter. If all this is connected with the first job, you must first of all deal with it.

Sometimes there is a temptation to throw more energy into a part-time job at the expense of the main activity in order to get money faster. But this is wrong, and such a choice can then seriously backfire on you. So it’s better not to miss deadlines, not to delay, and first of all to devote time to the work that is important to you in the long term.

4. Set a goal and set deadlines

It is hard to work on two jobs for a long time, so it is important that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you understand why you need all this and when it’s time to breathe out.

For example, you want to pay off your debts, save up for a down payment on a mortgage, please your loved one with an expensive gift, publish a collection of your poems, pay for cool refresher courses and eventually start earning more at your main job.

Set the desired amount and the deadline by which you need to collect it, and then clearly plan your income in order to meet this deadline. This will make it easier for you: you will have a clear measurable goal and a plan to achieve it.

5. Stop work in time

There is a very dangerous illusion: now I will work more, and tomorrow it will be a little easier and I will be able to relax. In fact, the work never ends at all. And if today you sat at your laptop until 1 am, you simply deprived yourself of precious sleep and a piece of your personal life.

It is worth determining in advance the time at which the work process stops, and you begin to rest or go about your business. So life will not turn into an endless painful "Groundhog Day" for you, from which there is no way out.

6. Say no

In high load mode, you will have to learn how to cut off everything that is unnecessary. Do not take on other people's responsibilities. Don't let people you know designate you as their vest. And do not rush to fulfill the requests of friends and relatives, if they are able to cope with the situation on their own.

The energy that you spend on all of this is best spent on work or play.

7. Simplify your life

Order groceries and other goods online instead of going to the store. Use a dishwasher, robotic vacuum cleaner, multicooker and other devices that make household chores a little easier.

Try planning your menu for the week, stocking up on all the ingredients in advance, choosing simpler meals, and cooking a few days in advance to save yourself the hassle of “what to eat for dinner” every night.

8. Take care of yourself

Given the increased load, this is especially important. Sleep at least seven hours a day, stay active, eat healthy foods, and do not overuse sweets and snacks.

Try to devote at least half an hour a day to something that you like and replenish internal resources, even if it's just reading a book on the subway on the way to work.

Buy yourself something nice from time to time, not necessarily expensive, and praise yourself more often.

9. Ask for help

Talk to loved ones. Explain that this is going to be difficult for you and that they will need at least their full support. Ask them to understand that you will not always be in the mood to communicate and that it is important for you to go to bed no later than 11:00 pm. So sharing household responsibilities and a friendly atmosphere at home doesn't hurt.