Hobbies, Friends, Family, Exercise, etc
I'm only finishing up my CCNP studies now, and hope to begin the CCIE studies next year. I have noticed though that maintaining relationships with family and friends, keeping up with hobbies, and exercising regularly gets tough when you spend so much time studying. I know I'm going to have to take it up another notch if I want to get the CCIE. My question for those of you doing it or those that have done it, how did you keep a decent balance in life?
I am only at the CCNP level right now, but I find that I don't do many of the hobbies I once did, I can go weeks/months without seeing friends and family because I just get so caught up in work and studying, and I have gained probably 35 pounds since I started studying for the CCNP. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy networking and it is very interesting to me, but at the same time I want to be able to maintain relationships with those I care about and remain healthy. How have some of you accomplished this balancing act?
I am only at the CCNP level right now, but I find that I don't do many of the hobbies I once did, I can go weeks/months without seeing friends and family because I just get so caught up in work and studying, and I have gained probably 35 pounds since I started studying for the CCNP. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy networking and it is very interesting to me, but at the same time I want to be able to maintain relationships with those I care about and remain healthy. How have some of you accomplished this balancing act?
0
Comments
Remember Rule #32 (Zombieland) - Enjoy the little things
2013 Goals: CISSP [:cheers:] ITIL Foundations [ ] Project+ [ ] Linux+ [ ] CCNA (Maybe) [ ]
2013 Goals: CISSP [:cheers:] ITIL Foundations [ ] Project+ [ ] Linux+ [ ] CCNA (Maybe) [ ]
The real problem is that as you move up the career ladder your responsibilities (and stress) will increase, hopefully along with your compensation, but your choices will change to just how well do you want to do vs. recovering the things you have had to put by in order to get to where you are. It's one thing not to sprint full out because you aren't in a position to yet and another to be the type of person that can and wants to but knows that they are going to hurt themselves if they keep doing it (if that makes sense?).
Personally I'm coming out of a 7 year cert and career race. I'm tired, I've put on weight and lost track of some things I love in the process. I wouldn't go back and change it, I accept the cost as it has gotten me to the point where I have relatively comfortable choices, but I'm ready to start getting some of that back. This is where/when balance is being addressed.....I hope
Between going back to school and pushing certs I'm up to almost 5 years now of pushing to learn things as quick as possible. I know I need to complete the CCIE to really finish off my studies and help my career, but at the same time I have let a lot of things slip in my personal life as well. I'm hoping to take a little break before I start the CCIE push, but even with that I would like to keep as much balance as possible once I do make the push.
Your CCIE Lab Success Strategy: The Non-Technical Guidebook: Mr. Dean Bahizad, Mr. Vivek Tiwari: 9781470103163: Amazon.com: Books
Lab Hrs: 200
Goal 2013: CCIE R&S ( ) | ITILv3 Foundation ( )
A little over 3 years for me, and I'm getting pretty burnt
CWTS, then WireShark
i still find time to hang out with friends (Friday, Saturday night type deal), read a good sci-if book, the occasial computer game (TF2 or L4D2) with close friends mainly for the voice chat then the game, amd still hit the gym for an hour (i have missed a few workouts though). just remember you have to have balance and my balance is tipped toward the CCIE right now(getting in about 5 study hours a day after work). I have some other friends studying for their CCIE so it's also a social thing to lol. However after a few weeks of cramming you just need to go out and have a few drinks with friends.
so it can take over your life and burn you out but you need to make sure you maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle for your own sake.
Latest blog post: Let's review EIGRP Named Mode
Currently Studying: CCNP: Wireless - IUWMS
That is an excellent book. It will definitely clarify a lot for you.
Thanks for that link. I will take a look at that book.
Personally I'm very satisfied with all the info and suggestions from this book, it's worth the money.
Work->Study->Sleep rinse and repeat
Think of the 2:00 a.m. test—if you were awakened in the
middle of the night because of a network problem and had to figure out the
traffic flows in your network while you were half asleep, could you do it?
That book is indeed excellent! I've had it for somettime and still enjoy reading various chapters from it. Discusses the mental and social aspect of the ccie preparation that other books don't touch on.
When I'm well-rested and exercise, as well as do a focused study schedule each day, I'm better off overall.
When I try to cram it in, I tend to go overboard, and wear myself out. I then have to make-up sleep, make-up study, and things go haywire and I actually fall behind in my goals.
This may sound weird, but the best thing I can advise is to "limit" your study hours to a certain number, and quit it at that point. Then, you can focus on it during its time, but not let it take over your life.
Also, take at least one day off a week.
The more you learn, the more you realize what you don't know, and it should help you to maintain a certain sense of humility -- if not just to realize that you won't ever know it all.
Hope this helps.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lewislampkin (Please connect: Just say you're from TechExams.Net!)