Keeping Your Sanity Outside of Work
by: Mike Brannen
I’ve been employed for just more than a year at my first salaried “real world” job after college. I finally feel I’m settled in, and I tell friends I’ve finally gotten into rhythm with Seattle and its people. I’m not sure if it was the magic 12-month mark, or if it was turning the calendar to 2012, that brought about a sense of comfort. Being in a new city, unfamiliar with its dynamics, or its personality, had its challenges. For those of you about to embark on a life-changing move into a new workplace (journalism or otherwise), I’ve found certain tricks can help you maintain sanity, eliminate isolation, and enjoy life outside of work.
Get Connected With Your Local Alumni Chapter
Thank goodness for sports. Whether or not you like football or basketball, alumni groups meet often to watch their school play. This is likely your easiest and safest opportunity to meet new people in a new city. Wear your school colors, and you’ll find friendly faces. They’ll want to meet you, just as much as you want to meet them.
Get Involved with a Weekly Activity
The key word is “weekly.” Friendships start with familiarity. I’ve played volleyball for many years. I found an open gym one night in Seattle, met some people, and eventually joined a league. I’ve met dozens upon dozens of people from it. Whatever it is you like to do, put yourself in a position to get people’s names, and try to see them at that activity. Eventually it will branch out into opportunities to meet others, or take part in other fun stuff.
Move to the Right Place
Where you move can influence your social life and your attitude. I’ve lived in Seattle for 14 months without a car. I live within a 20 minute bus ride of work, which is also conveniently within a mile of downtown. The proximity of people makes it easier to meet with them. I have coworkers who have cars, and live farther away. While their rent is cheaper, I know I prefer my location because there are more, closer, social opportunities.
Give it Time
In reflecting upon my one year in Seattle, I recall some of the earliest people I spent time with, but haven’t seen in months. The first people you meet aren’t going to be the ones that will end up as your best friends. You might hang out a few times, but might not develop. It is on you to find the type of people you want to become close with. It won’t happen overnight. But my advice is that friendships are like (dating) relationships. You shouldn’t force it, and it shouldn’t take effort. It will happen naturally, and things should just “click.”
Plan Out Your Vacations
I believe that no matter what you do for work, a career is something you do to keep you busy, make ends meet, and pay for vacations. Periodic vacations, whether they are just for a weekend, or for a full week, can make your time at work pass faster. I’ve got a couple trips planned for March. That means I have to be good, and get through February (thanks, sweeps). A vacation isn’t just a trip, it’s a reward. Make sure you are rewarding yourself for your hard work.
Don’t be afraid to move to a new city where you have no connections. It can be exciting, and it helps you learn more about yourself. If you don’t like it, make sure you stay at least a year, and then get out. No one ever said you had to move to one place for the rest of your life.
Mike Brannen is a morning newscast producer for KIRO7, the CBS affiliate in Seattle. He finished his thesis Motivational Use of Twitter in 2010, and received an MA from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He received his Bachelor of Journalism degree the year before. Previous to Seattle, he worked multiple positions at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri for four years. He shares more about his life at mikebrannen.com and on Twitter: @MikeBrannen.
Tags: advice, broadcast news, employment, entry level positions, Gen J, Gen Jers, generation j, human resources, journalism, journalist, journalists, keeping your job, Mike Brannen, social media, Society of Professional Journalists, young journalists, young reporters