What’s the best way to grow in tech without compromising your well-being?

Building a career in the tech world is one of the smartest bets you can make today. Lines of code flow like rivers of innovation, and opportunities seem endless. But it's also a world of constant change, with a relentless pace, long working hours, and ongoing expectations that can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.

Stress is inevitable during a person's career, but when it becomes constant, it clearly shows an imbalance between your work responsibilities and your personal life.

Consider this, just as any software needs updates and protection from threats that decrease performance, your system requires constant optimization to function at its best.

If you've ever felt like your entire life revolves around work, or if you're concerned that as you progress in your career, you'll have less time for your hobbies, family, or friends, this blog will share with you four keys to creating a balance between life and work. These keys were shared by Luis Hernández, Senior Software Developer at Source Meridian, in his recent talk at the University of Magdalena:

Disconnecting is necessary

A study conducted by Cobee, a Spanish startup, states that: "20% of professionals admit to constantly thinking about work, and only 23% manage to forget about it during their breaks. This inability to disconnect severely affects nearly 3 out of every ten employees."

When we don't allow our minds to breathe, we block the flow of creativity and the ability to find fresh and innovative solutions. Instead of recharging during moments of rest, we find ourselves trapped in an exhausting cycle of never-ending mental tasks.

Ensuring you disconnect from work responsibilities at predetermined times of the day and make space for personal interests or simply moments of rest is necessary to ensure sustainable productivity levels over time.

Say goodbye to perfectionism

Rather than exhausting yourself in pursuing perfection, learning to value progress and continuous improvement can change negative thought patterns that hinder you from achieving specific goals.

The reality is that perfection is an unattainable illusion.

Replacing negative thoughts of self-demand with phrases that allow for self-motivation is a way to strengthen your mindset.

For example, you can use mindsets like: "Every step I take brings me closer to my goals and dreams." "I focus on what I can control and let go of what's beyond my control."

Exercise and meditation are essential

Exercise and meditation are practices that not only promote physical health but also contribute to a more focused and serene mind.

Many podcasts offer short meditations on platforms like Spotify, even as fast as 5 minutes. These meditations can fit seamlessly into your morning routine, for example, after breakfast or in the evenings before bedtime.

And it's been proven that listening to them before bed can significantly improve your sleep quality.

Here are some recommended meditation channels:

• Hay House Meditations
• 12 Minutes Meditations

Being organized is the solution to having free time

Identify unnecessary distractions and apply time management techniques to become more efficient in your work and personal spheres.?

You can even use one of the most valuable tools that helped Luis optimize his time, the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working in time intervals of 25 minutes, followed by short breaks of 5 minutes.?

The rhythm of this work style helps maintain focus and productivity by dividing tasks into focused blocks with regular intervals in between.

A final piece of advice shared by Luis during his talk is to choose workplaces with a strategy for well-being and talent development because maintaining motivation in the correct position is always crucial.

For example, he mentioned his experience working with Source Meridian, where the importance of this comprehensive approach is understood. To ensure this, all teams receive complete support beyond physical aspects, including flexible schedules and health programs.

Furthermore, the breadth of well-being is recognized, encompassing mental and emotional health. That's why resources and services are also provided to offer support in these areas.?

Choosing an environment that offers these conditions, you’ll find a constant source of inspiration that fuels your motivation while growing your passion.