Imagine you are a professional.
You work hard during the week, putting your all into your job. But what you do during your leisure time is none of your boss’s business, right?
Well, not exactly.
While it’s true that your personal life is just that—personal—the line between professional and personal can sometimes get blurred. And if you’re not careful, the things you do during your free time can end up reflecting poorly on you and your job.
What is leisure time?
Leisure time is time that is not spent at work. It is the time when you are not occupied with any responsibilities.
Now, some people may choose to spend their leisure time doing things that are considered to be “productive.”
For example, they may choose to read books, work on their hobby, or spend time with their family and friends. Other people may choose to spend their leisure time watching television, playing video games, or going out for drinks.
Should a professional be judged?
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Now, you might be wondering if you should let your hair down and just be yourself when you’re not at work.
After all, you’ve been working hard and you deserve it, right? Well, maybe. But maybe not. Because what you do in your leisure time can reveal a lot about you.
Are you the type of person who likes to go out and party hard on the weekends? Or are you more likely to stay in and watch Netflix? Do you golf or play poker with your buddies? Hang out at the park with your kids?
All of these activities can say something about you as a person. And if someone is looking to judge you, they’re going to look at what you do in your free time to get a sense of who you are.
How to balance your professional life and leisure time
There’s a big difference between completely relaxing and taking a break and letting your professional persona bleed over into your leisure time.
If people start to associate your leisure activities with your professional persona, then it could create some confusion about who you are as a person.
So how do you find the right balance? It’s all about being intentional about it.
If you’re going to let your hair down, make sure you’re not revealing everything on social media sites without thought. Also, ensure that you’re not letting your guard down so much that people start to question your work ethic.
While we all need a break sometimes, we also need to be aware of how we’re perceived by others.
So, what do you think? Is it wrong to judge a professional by what they do during their leisure time? Or should people maintain their professionalism no matter where they are or what they’re doing? It’s up to you to decide what you think is the right thing to do. Weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s appropriate for you and your career.