Over the past year or so, “Love what you do. Live what you love.” has become somewhat of a motto for our team. Today, we’re excited to have Geben’s own Megumi Robinson talking about one of our favorite subjects. See how she lives in the grey, then share your stories too!
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Post by: Megumi Robinson
I used to stress out about keeping my work life totally separate from my personal life and interests. To me, the two were black and white, and if they crossed the line I’d lose balance. But the more I tried to pull them apart, the more they seemed to mesh together … and to my surprise the happier I became.
Inspired by the Live in the Grey project, which encourages people to love what they do and live what they love, I’ve taken this idea to heart. Blending my personal passions with professional interests, here are a few ways I live in the grey:
Embrace community: It’s no secret that I love Columbus. The food, the city, the people … and the list goes on. I’m proud to be a part of a thriving entrepreneurial community that supports one another. Through working with various local startups and groups/organizations, I’ve not only had the opportunity to be a part of some pretty amazing projects, but also made connections that allowed me to get involved with mentoring at Startup Weekend Columbus and volunteer each week at an inner-city school.
Love who you work with: I realize that you might not become BFF with everyone you work with, but enjoying those people makes a huge difference in your day. Surround yourself with those who inspire, challenge and motivate you. These characteristics feed off each other. Also, have fun! Some of #TeamGeben’s best brainstorms have been over ½ priced sangrias during lunch.
Take on a side hustle: After a long day at work, one of my favorite things to do is pour a glass of wine, turn on the West Wing, and knit. It’s my way of relaxing and relieving stress. So a few months ago when I had a spur-of-the-moment idea to see if any of my friends and family needed scarves for Christmas gifts, I didn’t imagine it would turn into anything. But, dozens of orders later, I was blending my love of crafting, with my entrepreneurial sprit, and started a “side hustle” called the Shoes Off Project: hand-crafted, knit scarves.
Find what makes you happy: At the end of the day, the most important thing to me as I live in the grey is to be happy. For me, I find happiness through helping others. Whether it’s giving time, solving a problem, working with someone to express and share their story, or making a meaningful connection.
How do you live in the grey? Share in the comments below!
As an account manager for Geben Communication, Megumi Robinson focuses on client relations, account strategy, local and national media/blogger relations, event planning and online community management. Megumi has worked with a variety of industries including startups, technology, B2B, social media/digital marketing services, consumer products, non-profits and more. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.