2023 - Work X Life balance: A story from my fitness app

Reflecting on the year 2023 brings a whirlwind of emotions and insights, particularly when I look at the graph from my fitness app that I've meticulously analyzed to understand my work-life balance. Undoubtedly, it was a year marked by significant transitions - in both my career and personal life. This graph is a testament to these shifts, visually narrating the story of my year through the lens of my workout consistency and intensity.

January, February, March: A Strong Start with Sacrifices

The year kicked off with a bang. My team and I celebrated a significant victory, securing the Eldflash award following the successful final delivery for Dell Technologies. Soon after, I found myself deep in the excitement of a new opportunity with a Lenovo project. This transition also included a geographical shift, moving back to S?o Paulo from Brasília. With the project's discovery phase demanding substantial time to align with stakeholders and grasp the nuances of the product, my workout frequency understandably tapered off. The commitment to my career momentarily outweighed my personal fitness goals.

April, May, June: Aligning Work and Wellness

As spring emerged, so did the fruits of our labor. The Lenovo project was blossoming, and my rapport with stakeholders grew stronger, our visions in sync. With a solid team at my back, we were in full swing, working harmoniously towards our objectives. This period also granted me a much-needed respite; I took the opportunity to hike in Hudson Valley, USA, immersing myself in nature and averaging 20,000 steps daily. This escape was reflected in my workout graph with a noticeable uptick in physical activity, a testament to the balance I had achieved between work and wellness.

July, August, September: Embracing Change Amidst Challenges

Mid-year brought a comfortable rhythm to the project, allowing for agile responses to new challenges and strategic shifts. Yet, life had other plans, presenting my family with an international opportunity. Change, while invigorating, demanded sacrifices. Preparing for the move while ensuring a smooth transition of my project responsibilities meant longer hours tethered to work, which naturally resulted in less time for fitness.

October, November, December: A Time for Recovery and Reflection

The final quarter was a whirlwind of personal transformation. Relocating to the US, I faced the constraints of a dependent visa, but this unexpected pause created space for personal endeavors. I dove into an AI Specialization, expanded my business analysis proficiency, and delved into a myriad of books. Despite a calf injury and a respiratory virus, I found solace and strength in personal growth and light exercise, culminating in a gradual return to fitness as the year ended.

Product and Business Analysis insights

As I engaged more with my fitness apps, Mi Fitness and Apple Fitness, during the months of recovery from an injury, their persistent notifications to 'complete my rings' or 'work out today' felt tone-deaf to my actual situation. This friction sparked a thought: these applications lacked the empathy to inquire about sudden changes in user behavior. If there had been an option for me to input the cause of my inactivity, the apps could have shifted their approach, offering support and tailored advice for recovery exercises or activities suitable for someone bedridden.

This gap in user experience led me down the familiar path of problem-solving that any Product Manager or Business Analyst would recognize. It's almost second nature to spot opportunities for improvement in the tools we frequently use. While some might find humor in the quirks of their apps, my situation was a poignant reminder that there's a segment of users who, due to illness or injury, find themselves sidelined. It's in these moments that thoughtful AI could truly shine, providing personalized advice and empathy, rather than generic encouragement.

Looking back, the graph from my fitness app doesn't merely chart workouts; it intricately plots the peaks and valleys of my year, eloquently highlighting the struggles and moments of clarity. It's a visual diary that has not only helped me reflect but also motivated me to contribute to creating technology that genuinely understands and adapts to its users' lives. As I venture into the new year, my experience with data storytelling, graphic design, prompt engineering business and product analysis feels less like a project and more like a journey - one that I hope will lead to better, more intuitive user experiences in the tech we rely on every day.

Curiosities: A Lighthearted Look at the Numbers

• If I had chosen to walk continuously for the 184 hours, 29 minutes, and 22 seconds I spent working out, I could have trekked from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back again, which would have been quite the scenic journey!
• In terms of calorie burning, the 76,093 kcal I torched is equivalent to the calories in about 28 large pizzas. Instead of indulging, it's as if I hosted a pizza party for the neighborhood but opted for weightlifting with the pizza boxes.
• The sheer number of workouts, 330 in total, is akin to climbing a staircase with enough steps to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Perhaps I would be waving down from Lady Liberty's torch with a pizza in one hand as a victory snack!
• The energy spent over the year is enough to have powered a 60-watt light bulb for over two months straight. It's a bright idea to think of my workouts lighting up a room for that long.
• To add some extra flavor, if each workout session was a slice of pizza, I would have stacked up enough to have a different slice every day, transforming my year into an endless pizza party (with a variety of toppings, of course).
• And lastly, the total calories burned through my workouts is roughly the same as running 29 marathons. That's me, dressed in 29 different funny outfits, crossing the finish line each time with the same gusto as the first.