Jeremy Blaney’s work right now is school. He is in a Master’s program for HR and international business at Tufts University in Boston. In addition, he has served in the Air Force. Through this experience, he recognizes that sometimes work-life integration requires a bit of light-heartedness in the face of all that stress we face.
Jeremy’s passion for international studies began during the 8 years he spent in the military where he was stationed all over the world. He spent half his time on the enlisted side, and half as an officer. Today, he continues to serve in the Massachusetts Air National Guard. He says that the military was a great foundation for what is coming next and grad school is paving the way.
Pay it Forward. One of the ways that Jeremy stays energized despite all the pressures of grad school is through his volunteer work. He is part of the movement to bring the Olympics to Boston in 2024 by coordinating military and veteran outreach. He says that not everything we do will be fulfilling, but one way to transform less appealing circumstances is to reach out and connect within the community. He volunteers as the Chair of the Student Activities Committee in the James Madison College Alumni Association and is President of the MSU Alumni Club of Boston. In both, he is striving to ‘pay it forward’ through helping students develop or by raising money for endowment. He views these activities as creating lasting change and motivating others to do the same. Jeremy believes that by managing his time wisely he can ensure that he has the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to others.
Lighten Up. Another way that Jeremy stays energized and integrates work, school, and life is to use music – and to lighten the mood. He and his macroeconomics class were facing a particularly tough exam one day and Jeremy walked in ahead of the professor to put Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it Off’ on the intercom of the lecture hall. Some of the students who were cramming in the last moments before the exam were confused, but Jeremy had lightened the tenor of the moment. Jeremy says that keeping an eye on the long term goal and realizing that not all aspects of work will be your favorites, helps him keep perspective. We all have to take that figurative macroeconomics class now and then, but it’s part of reaching a rewarding goal – and worth the challenge.
Demonstrate Empathy. Another strategy Jeremy uses is to find people who share his passions. He rejects the notion that Millennials struggle with being empathic. He believes you have to be vulnerable and put yourself out there and learn about others as well. Like this: Share moments together. Reach out and lend a hand. Provide support when friends are going through a challenging time. All of these contribute to relationships and to a sense of work-life integration.
Look Ahead. As a future HR professional, what does Jeremy believe is the future of work-life? He says it’s all about passion and the responsibility organizations have to create roles where people can express what they love best to do and who they most want to be. Jeremy also believes in the power of one-on-one coaching as a way that we will support employees in the future.
There will always be portions of our work that are challenging, but should also be sure we’re enjoying ourselves, lightening up, and Shaking it Off.
Would you like to tell your story? If so, let me know by emailing me at tbrower108@gmail.com. Why? One of the foundations of Bringing Work to Life is abundance: the idea that it is possible to find fulfillment, have it all, and avoid the trade-offs between work and life. After all, work and life aren’t separate things to be placed in containers, but part of an integrated whole of a satisfying life. Another foundation of Bringing Work to Life is the idea of multiple right answers. As we’re all seeking ways to bring work to life – and bring life to work – we can learn from each other’s unique solutions and stories. I’d love to learn about your story!
Tracy Brower is the author of Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A Guide for Leaders and Organizations.