Can Work/Life Balance be Achieved? My Son Did It! By Jeanne Nacsin

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Can Work/Life Balance be Achieved?
By Jeanne Nacsin

Can an effective work/life balance be achieved in today’s highly competitive professional environment?  I’m beginning to believe that my son, Andy Nacsin, may finally have discovered how to do it.

First of all, let me say that Andy has held a job of one kind or another since he was thirteen years old, when he worked during the summer as the “go fer” for my brother’s construction company.  He has always maintained a strong work ethic and whatever the task, he is ever the committed employee.  

For several years after graduating college, Andy worked in the food industry.  He capitalized on the busy summer season in our area by taking on every extra shift he could.  On days off, he worked with his father doing minor construction work.  For Andy, it was work, work, work;   the reward being a substantial paycheck and friendships forged within the workplace.   At the close of the busy work season, Andy took time for life.  One winter, he backpacked around Europe for three months.  Upon his return, he was energized and ready for the work, work, work of another busy summer season.  Again, he worked long hours and double shifts.   His life during that time WAS his work.  He was satisfied to reap the monetary rewards earned during this time, while forgoing time that could have been spent relaxing, because he knew it would result in a new adventure during the off season.    Seven months in Central America permitted him to live his life in slow gear and again re-energize.  He had established a pattern:  first you work, and then you enjoy life.

When Andy announced in 2003 that he was relocating to Idaho to work as a recruiter for a company called Redfish Technology, I was aghast.  I felt he was impulsively disrupting his pattern, and although I knew it was time for him to seriously pursue a career, I was doubtful that this was the right course.  Happily, I could not have been more wrong.  As it happened, Andy’s affiliation with Redfish projected him toward what was to become, and still is, a positive and rewarding work/life experience.

Redfish had begun to provide Andy with balance.  The initial move to Sun Valley, Idaho, placed him in a breathtakingly beautiful new environment.  His twenty minute commute to work each day provided peace and tranquility as he drove through the scenic countryside, and brought him into the office focused and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.  At first, the job wasn’t easy.  In fact, it was often a source of extreme frustration.  I’d get those exasperated phone calls from Andy questioning whether he had made the right decision.  Fortunately, the team spirit in the office was inspiring, and the frustrated phone calls began to subside.  Redfish co-workers were a constant source of support, and soon strong relationships developed between the team members.   They worked together tirelessly to provide impeccable service to those enlisting their assistance.  Not only were relationships built with the team, before long strong bonds were also attained with clients as well as candidates.  Andy began to feel the satisfaction that comes when a placement is made that is the right fit for all involved.  The ninety minute lunch, which at first seemed so long, became a welcome respite that allowed Andy to go for a hike or simply enjoy the outdoors.  Weekend ski passes provided by Redfish enabled Andy to enjoy the exhilarating and refreshing entertainment that those pristine mountains provided.   But, it wasn’t perfect; at least, not for Andy.  His spirit was restless.

When Redfish decided to take five members of the team to work in Mexico for one year, Andy couldn’t have been more enthused.  Now he had the opportunity to continue performing a job at which he’d become quite proficient, while being totally immersed in a Third World culture.  The frantic pace of executive recruiting, coupled with the easy-going, laid-back life-style of the little town of San Carlos was the perfect combination.  It was in this location that Andy discovered how flexible his profession could be.  It really didn’t matter where he was.  He was able to give 100% to the clients and candidates with whom he dealt.  But while fostering new relationships and maintaining old ones, he was also able to enjoy a high quality of life within the small community.  Whether it be a dip in the pool at lunch time, grabbing a taco at the roadside taco stand, or visiting with a local stray dog outside the office door, Andy found many things to smile about, all which contributed to a heightened performance level.

The recent recession has taught us all a great deal about how precious our livelihood is.  A job is something we need to survive.  We need to be happy in our profession, but we must remember that in order to remain competitive and be successful, we must find that work/life balance.  It’s taken a while, but Andy now appreciates that what matters is WHAT he does to earn a living, not WHERE he does it.  Because of the corporate culture Redfish embraces, Andy has been given the opportunity to be flexible.  Redfish has encouraged him to seek and attain his work/life balance.  

Andy now resides in San Francisco, CA, his “dream” city.  Ironically, the Bay Area is one of the prime market places for technology and alternative energy, the hub of Redfish Technology’s business focus.  While Andy CAN work anywhere, his current home fully enables him to address the core business needs of Redfish and cultivate business relationships, while enjoying the quality of life he has strived to achieve.  It’s funny how life works!

About the Author:
Jeanne Nacsin is the mother of Executive Recruiter Andrew Nacsin and has worked as Benefits Manager for Redfish Technology. Jeanne likes boating, running, traveling, and enjoys spending time with her family.

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Redfish Technology specializes in locating talent in the High Tech and Green Energy sectors. Recruiting since 1996, the company offers nationwide coverage and offices in Silicon Valley, the East Coast, and the Intermountain West.