A busy professional life can be quite time-consuming and overwhelming, which means it will often get in the way of our dating life. Regardless of your working hours, you’ll most likely have to make hard choices and sacrifices in your relationships to succeed at work.
This may sound discouraging, but as with everything else in life, it’s all about balance. So many people are in the same situation dreaming about meeting that one person for life if only it wasn’t for their demanding jobs.
Dating is not as it used to be so now you have lots of different ways as a busy professional to meet new people without compromising your career. Here are several practical tips that can help you date more successfully and still retain a successful work life.
Be Honest about Your Schedule
There aren’t many jobs that don’t throw up a curveball every so often. These last-minute things and emergencies will happen, and if it often happens to you, let your date know about your schedule. It causes you to be late or even cancel at the last minute. Just make sure you’re honest, polite and forthcoming about making arrangements for your next meeting.
You also need to be understanding if this happens to your date. They might also have to cancel a date because of work, so bear in mind that they, too, deserve a second chance. But, both of you should try not to make it a frequent habit. If this happens regularly, it’s clear that work is the priority and that there’s no serious commitment between the two of you.
Meet In the Middle
If both of you are working in a big city, you should find a location which is somewhere halfway between your two jobs so you could easily meet during the week. This is helpful as it makes sure that neither of you has to rush out of the office all the way across town. It’s an easy compromise that removes the stress factor and allows you to focus on your relationship.
Consider Online Dating
Today’s online dating apps are a great and practical way for busy professionals to find dates. It allows you to date on your own time that fits your schedule, reply to messages and pick available singles in your area. It’s a great choice for shy and introverted types, and if you consider sugar dating apps, it’s a great way to meet professionals who are philanthropic and mature and looking for similar mindsets to connect with.
However, you need to be prepared to move the conversation from the app into the real world so you could get to know your potential match better. It calls for some organisation in your busy work schedule, but if you’re ready, upfront and communicative, this will be an easy job.
Learn to Switch off
Switching off from work can be hard, but you should refrain from checking your messages and emails if you’re on a date. This is a sure way to demotivate your date as it shows them that work is all you have room for in your life.
It’s typical to talk about your work on a first date, so don’t feel you must avoid the subject altogether. Just don’t let it become a half an hour rant about how terrible your boss is or how annoying your colleague is. For a healthy relationship and a successful career, you need to separate your personal and work life, and the surest way to do this is by striking a balance and setting boundaries.
Manage Expectations
In addition to open and clear communication, another essential aspect of dating is being able to manage your and your date’s expectations. When you’re candid and straightforward with your date about the time you have to devote to dating, you will feel less pressure if you have to work late or spend time with your family without worrying your date might feel neglected.
You just need to make sure you openly discuss your busy schedule when making arrangements, and you communicate in such a way that makes the other person feel appreciated. In this way, your date will understand how busy you are but still feel valued as you make time for them.
Make Time for Each Other
Speaking about making time, it’s crucial you allocate enough of it for each other. With a hectic work schedule, this will require intentional thought and effort, something which most people overlook from time to time.
If you have to dedicate yourself fully to your job over the work week, make a valid effort to do something special during the weekend. It can be something simple such as going to your date’s favourite restaurant or organising a short surprise trip. Typically, the best dates never feel like work. If you feel you’re struggling to balance your work and private life, find someone who shares similar interests with you. When you manage to incorporate your dating life into your existing routine, interests and hobbies, it will stop feeling like a struggle and become enjoyable.
There will always be busy seasons of life, but if you’re open to possibilities and put time and effort into the person of interest, you be sure that you’re taking the right steps to form a quality connection with the person who is your match.