Needle, Meet Haystack

Finding some semblance of a balance between your social life and professional life can be a harrowing experience.  There’s lots of potential for missteps, and it can be easy to go overboard.  So how are you doing when it comes to getting your ducks in a row?  Take this quiz and find out!

1. Which of the following best describes your employment situation?
   1. Full-time
   2. Part-time
   3. Freelance/Consultant/Contract
   4. Unemployed
   5. Moss grows on the North side of a tree
2. On average, how many hours do you work per week?
   1. Over 40
   2. 21-40
   3. 15-20
   4. 14 or under
   5. “Work?” I don’t “work!”  I just do stuff.
3. Please next to each of the following that you participate in on a weekly or monthly basis.  You must perform the task at least once a month on average to give it a mark.
   1. Religious organization (observances, social gatherings, etc)
   2. Charity/nonprofit work (runs, volunteering, donations, etc)
   3. Sports league/gym/training (anything athletic where you change clothes to do it, and I don’t mean “do it” do it)
   4. Social club or group (book club, bowling league, discussion group, etc)
   5. Going out with a group (bars, clubs, coffee shops, restaurants, movies, etc)
   6. Romantic expedition (date, ONS, etc. If you’re in an LTR, you get a point here)
   7. Doing things with your pet (if you have a pet, check here)
   8. Family events (if you see immediate family/in-laws at least once per month)
4. Choose the word or phrase to complete this sentence: “I __________ my job.”
   1. Love
   2. Like
   3. Loathe
   4. Hate (with the burning intensity of a million exploding suns)
   5. Am unemployed and wish I could talk about
5. Please pick only one response.  What is the best part of your job?
   1. The job itself
   2. My co-workers/boss
   3. The money
   4. BWAHAHAHAHA…”best”?!  Oh man, you really had me going there…
   5. Cookie Day!
6. Please pick only one response.  What is the worst thing about your job?
   1. The hours
   2. The pay
   3. My co-workers/boss
   4. The dress code
   5. Overabundance of flair and lack of red staplers
7. If your ten-year-old self could see what you do for work right now, he/she would probably…
   1. Give me a high-five
   2. Scowl at me, but understand it
   3. Cry
   4. Kick me in the man/lady parts
   5. Buy an almanac with details about a bunch of sports games over the past few decades
8. How often do you bring your work home with you?
   1. At least several times per week
   2. Once every week or two
   3. At least once a month
   4. Hardly ever
   5. Doesn’t matter when it’s due; that shit STAYS in the office
9. Honestly, do you think you are being paid adequately for your skills?
   1. Yes
   2. For the most part…
   3. No
   4. Definitely not
   5. My skills are too great to be described in terms of monetary compensation, other than “eleventy kajillion dollars an hour”
10. Would you say you are a morning person?
    1. Darn tootin’!
    2. Maybe after I have some coffee
    3. Bleh.  No.
    4. The night is my mistress.
    5. Zzzz…
11. If your life was a movie, it would be a…
    1. Comedy
    2. Drama
    3. Horror
    4. Sci-fi
    5. Short film about Andy Warhol eating a hamburger
12. Are you currently looking for another job right now?
    1. Nope
    2. Sending out my resume to get a feel for the job  market, but nothing serious
    3. Somewhat actively
    4. Oh, HELL yes
    5. I’m already the lord sovereign of a box of cupcakes in my fridge.  I’m set.

Answer key: Tally up your points!

Here’s how you did:

0 – 11  No life!

You’re too relaxed!  Sure, you might have been goofing off with your answers, but you may need to start taking yourself and your career more seriously.  Stress can be good for you, and a little responsibility never hurt anyone.  After all, you can be a contributing member of society and still watch “Spongebob.”

12 – 23  A bit too calm

You’re on your way towards a good balance, but you’re not quite there in terms of understanding the balance.  You might call it zen, but you’re a bit closer to laziness and apathy.  Get yourself more involved and focused – it will help you with the rest of your daily routine.  In fact, a bit more experience and planning are all you really need to hit the right balance.

24 – 32  Perfectly level

You’ve got your act together!  Sure, there might be some stuff you want to work on improving about yourself, but you understand priorities and boundaries.  Give yourself a cookie.

33 – 45  A little too strict

You need to relax a bit and loosen up!  While you might be really focused on proving yourself and getting your life going, you’re running the risk of having too many plates spinning.  Take a step back and evaluate what you need to do to achieve the balance you want.

46 – 52  Primed to explode

A little high-strung, are we?  Your priorities are too focused on one aspect of your life: work.  Whether it’s because you like it too much or hate it with a passion, you need to find a better outlet for your energy.  With all the stuff you do, you’re burning the candle at both ends and stretching yourself far too thin.  Use up some of those vacation days, or take a sick day if you have to.  If you don’t have time just to relax, you’ll begin to unravel.  Life isn’t all about being serious and professional.  Take it easy once in a while!