With the Pressures That Come With A High Stress Job like Recruiting - How Do You Keep Your Sanity?

Recruiters--we work hard all day and some of us work into the night. We tend to be dedicated to getting the job(s) done come hell or high water. The work burns hot and cold and very hot sometimes.

That said, what are those things you do besides momentarily stepping away from the phone and the keyboard or taking a vacation? What do you do that satisfies your other interests, that are legal in 50 states and Puerto Rico?

I'd like to know and I think others in the RBC would be interested to know as well. For me it's photography and training & competing in Masters and Senior Olympic Track & Field Meets. Both are for fun and pleasure...and sometimes they tie into recruiting, but that's for a different discussion.

More importantly, what are those hobbies & interests that you engage in that help you balance your personal and professional life? Remember, without some "balance" you end-up being right-handed. Where do think the term "red eye" comes from?

Training for and competing in The Discus Throw event is meaningful for me on so many levels. I literally picked it up in high school fielding it for my older brother who also competed at the All-State qualifying level. He inspired me to get into the sport.

Though there is hard work, and tension--it is a different kind of tension and hard work. And the sweat equity payback actually relieves the different kind of tension that can build in my job as a recruiter. It poses a physical release as well as a physical build-up that is healthy for me, particularly as I get older. Getting up for it gets harder only if you let yourself get rusty. The old saying, "Use it or lose it" is so true going into my 63rd year.

Plus the competition is invigorating--win or lose--I have something to show for it--my training, effort and accomplishments. I've also end up meeting new people--all competitors. I find myself giving and getting training tips and advice on how to correct noticeable bad habits that even the most experienced athlete can exhibit.

The Discus throw is very much like ballet with an implement to throw. It requires great balance, speed, timing and power to make it look effortless. It's a spin and a half of gathering forces that violently whips or slings a discus into the air in the hope that a kind wind catches it and takes it ever further. An unkind wind can take a discus straight up and drop it at your feet, daring you to try again.

It's a beautiful thing to see--a discus spinning so smoothly as it swiftly glides through the air. Gaining altitude and distance as it goes--it finally lands near or past your personal best distance. When it does that it's a thing of beauty for an old and grizzled discus thrower. I ought to know. I am one.

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Permalink Reply by Amy Ala Miller on January 30, 2012 at 5:23pm

Hi Tino - great question and thanks for sharing your personal answer! :) For me it's also photography and reading. Photography - I'm obsessed with getting the best shot of people when they aren't looking. Some of my favorite shots are of my kids checking out caterpillars, or my teenager daughter reading, my oldest son on the field playing baseball... any "life" shot that's not posed and planned. Secondly, reading. Sometimes even mind numbing, plotless, trashy romance novels to REALLY disconnect.

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on January 31, 2012 at 5:44am

Amy,

Like you, I also prefer the casual, natural and un-posed shot as well. You have to go for the money shot--the one that flatters, but I'll also get the funny ones too--they both work well. I use a 400mm Canon lens to get those shots without getting identified as paparazzi.

I shot and shoot a lot of sports events and team pictures, especially when my kids were playing multiple sports. I get invited to shoot corporate gigs; and career fairs. And I've donated over 2000 pictures, over a twelve year, period to college students, student organizations, college administrators and to not-for-profit organizations and events.

Shooting pictures and meeting and greeting people at a variety of events adds to my database of key professionals along the way. So leveraging a personal interest to also tie into my recruitment and networking works.

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Permalink Reply by Mack on January 31, 2012 at 10:43pm

For me i take a break everyday at 11:30am and either do 45 minute cardio or workout. Keeps the blood flowing and i'm pumped for the rest of the day.

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on February 1, 2012 at 12:11am

Thanks, Mack--but I was actually fishing for what you do removed from the day-to-day work day--aside from vacations.

Any interests or hobbies that you indulge in when you find time on the personal level?

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Permalink Reply by sabrinadove on February 1, 2012 at 6:12pm

I think yoga is great for relaxing and preventing desk / office related strains. A short brisk hike or walk is also helpful for getting other ideas and clearing one's mind.

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on February 1, 2012 at 6:44pm

I'm working on a novel. First thing I do each morning, usually sometime between 6 and 7, is settle in with my coffee and Pandora tunes and write at least 2 pages. It's my favorite part of the day, I really look forward to it. If I have any energy left, I sometimes will dive back in the evening...am just gearing up to do that now as a matter of fact. It really relaxes me, and something I do for the pure fun of it.

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on February 1, 2012 at 7:23pm

Thanks, sabrinadove57--yoga seems like a great way to stretch and relief strains, yet when I've tried it--I had difficulty with some of the contortions that seemed more trouble then just stretching a little.

@Pam, Writing a novel, one on subject matter that becomes fun work, has to be rewarding the way you describe it, Pam. The creative process can be it's own reward as long as "creative block" doesn't creep in.

I've written articles, in the past, that I occasionally expanded on for the purpose of a larger work. As I gain momentum on some...that might happen. Thanks for sharing, Pam.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Spagnola on February 2, 2012 at 4:38pm

I'm with Pam in that Pandora often saves me. I would love to say chasing my two little boys, but on some days that is just not the case ; )

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Permalink Reply by Raphael Fang on February 2, 2012 at 8:18pm

When I am not working, I do too much to forget about my job as a head hunter. Here is my list of things that I do:

1) Cycling - I train for cyclocross races during the fall.

2) Dragonboating - I train and race from March to October. I train at least twice a week and race at least once a month. On top of my own team, I also race with other teams as well.

3) Dodgeball - I play dodgeball 20 weeks a year.

4) Soccer - Indoor during the winter and outdoor during the summer

5) Guitar - don't claim to be an expert, I play when I have time

6)Video Game - When the weather is crappy and night is long, Call of duty is my friend.

7) Read - I read when I am tired and when I am injured.

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on February 2, 2012 at 8:38pm

Good to hear from you Tim on this subject.

Word to the wise: Enjoy your ability to chase down and actually catch your two little boys, today--because soon you won't be able to do that.

When they were little--I used to spot my daughter 20yard, and my son (2-years younger than his sister) 30yards on a 50yard dash race. And I'd always win until that fateful day, when I had to lessen the spot...until there was no spotting them an inch...Soon I was coming in 3rd (even when I jumped the gun). Loved those days and they did too.

It goes without saying to enjoy their youth...it goes by so fast.

Thanks for sharing.

Tim Spagnola said:

I'm with Pam in that Pandora often saves me. I would love to say chasing my two little boys, but on some days that is just not the case ; )

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on February 2, 2012 at 8:49pm

Raphael,

You're quite a whirling dervish. Good for you. You have so many interests--and it sounds like you have them fitting well along with family, friends, work and rest.

Of those things you listed--do you have a favorite? One you're addicted to above all the rest? I ask because we all have interests and dedicate time to so many things, but soon one or two of those interests dominate.

Thanks for sharing.

Raphael Fang said:

When I am not working, I do too much to forget about my job as a head hunter. Here is my list of things that I do:

1) Cycling - I train for cyclocross races during the fall.

2) Dragonboating - I train and race from March to October. I train at least twice a week and race at least once a month. On top of my own team, I also race with other teams as well.

3) Dodgeball - I play dodgeball 20 weeks a year.

4) Soccer - Indoor during the winter and outdoor during the summer

5) Guitar - don't claim to be an expert, I play when I have time

6)Video Game - When the weather is crappy and night is long, Call of duty is my friend.

7) Read - I read when I am tired and when I am injured.

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Permalink Reply by Raphael Fang on February 3, 2012 at 12:37am

Well, I have no life outside of the my work life. I actually have to schedule time off from playing hard. I try to stay home one day a month. Also, the I take the last week of December off.

And If I have to choose one thing to do, I will have to take cycling. I have been a cyclist for over 20 years. I have spend many hours training and racing on the road and on the trail.