Balancing the crazy ad industry and family life: Is it possible?
We’ve all seen Mad Men and the cut throat world that an ad agency can be. Times have changed since Peggy and Don worked in this industry. Women are taking on more leadership roles than ever before. Men are sharing the workload at home. Still, work/life balance is a constant struggle. How can we have the best of both worlds? After COVID we saw a revolution of how and where we work. The world shut down but we kept going and proved to employers that the 9-to-5… or 6… or 7 office job doesn’t always equal the best work. Flexible schedules and remote work have tipped the scales closer to giving us the balance we all are looking for.
One of the most significant benefits of remote work in the advertising industry is the ability to craft flexible schedules. Gone are the days of rigid office hours, replaced by a more fluid approach that allows professionals to structure their work around their family commitments. Now, I can be at my son’s 4pm baseball game, be together for dinner and put him to sleep. If I have unfinished work, I can hop back on my computer after bedtime stories or wake up a bit earlier to catch up thus reducing the inherent tension between work and family.
My husband and I made the decision to move to Florida to be closer to family while we’re raising our family. I found a great job at an ad agency working in an office environment. However, I was stuck. They were the big fish in a small pond and if I wanted to move up in my career, I was going to need to move. In 2021, remote work exploded and I jumped at the chance. I joined an agency based in NY but remained in my home office in Florida. I was able to work on new clients, grow my expertise and learn from other co-workers that were literally from around the world. We came together in person for shoots or important meetings but also were able to bond through zoom, slack and text messages. Though it takes a bit more effort, it is achievable and I did some of my best work at this agency.
Contrary to common misconceptions, remote work often leads to increased focus and productivity. Freed from the distractions of the office environment, people can immerse themselves fully in their work, accomplishing tasks more efficiently. On the flip side, I can put in a load of laundry or start dinner in the instant pot during my breaks. My kids aren’t the last ones to get picked up from daycare. Remote work offers us a pathway to balance amidst the chaos.
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