You are more than your current title — more than the sum of the Experience section of your CV (curriculum vitae). In addition, you are also more than the metrics your bosses use to evaluate your performance and more than the unique selling points that keep clients coming back for more. You are not just a professional. You are a person. Moreover, you deserve to be seen as such. What is in it for you, you ask? Why should you care that your colleagues see you as more than a headshot in the email header? As it turns out, being better rounded — mixing business and leisure responsibly — has considerable benefits for your professional standing. Here are seven ways how to do it.
1. Start a Nonprofit
The best way to show your commitment to a cause is to serve it in a way no one has so far. That is not as difficult (or crazy) as it sounds. Founding a nonprofit is not much different than founding a startup company. In addition, with the profit motive removed, running it may be easier.
That is what Green Dot founder Steve Streit did back in 2010 when he launched Patti’s Way, a nonprofit devoted to supporting single parents and their children. Named in honor of Streit’s mother, a selfless mother who raised four kids, Patti’s Way distributes “random acts of kindness” — financial grants and other forms of support — to deserving recipients across the United States.
Streit would no doubt do this work even if he did not get credit for it. In addition, so would you, surely. However, it does not hurt to be known for something other than maximizing the bottom line.
2. Volunteer with an Organization Close to Your Heart
If you don’t have time to launch your own nonprofit, then volunteer with one. There’s no shortage of worthy organizations in your area. If you’re not sure where to begin, use an impartial third-party resource like Charity Navigator to find highly rated charities that act as responsible stewards of donor funds. Then carve out a few hours each month to donate your time.
3. Be an Active Participant in Your Kids’ Extracurricular Activities
Nothing says “better rounded” or “well rounded” like coaching a youth sports team or chaperoning a model government delegation. You don’t have to concern yourself with parental politics or even managing the enterprise. Simply showing up and being a mentor are powerful stuff. In addition, you might find you get more out of it than the kids do.
4. Adopt a Worthy Cause
Starting a nonprofit. Donating your time to charity. Both are worthy pursuits if you have the bandwidth. However, not everyone does. If the best you can do is donate some of your hard-earned money, then that’s just fine.
The more you give, the better you feel. In addition, let’s be honest, the more likely the recipient organization is to tout your contribution publicly.
5. Develop a Social Media Niche That Has Nothing to Do with Your Job
Let’s move away from philanthropy and toward something (even more) fun. Focus on a hobby that you actually enjoy and that draws a following in the process. An example is Like Friday Night Zillow, a Washington-based reporter’s increasingly popular real estate-themed side project. Friday Night Zillow features some of the zaniest homes in America, from gaudy mansions to creepy compounds to what-were-they-thinking gut jobs.
You’ll probably never buy a Friday Night Zillow house. Moreover, your future followers will probably never engage seriously with whatever you choose to “promote.” However, they’ll thank you for the effort, and your reputation will thank them back.
6. Sharpen Your Thought Leader Credibility
You don’t have to spend hours at a stretch writing detailed blog posts or case studies to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. That’s what ghostwriters are for. You supply the brief and the data. They put it together, and you get the byline and the glory. A weekly LinkedIn update or blog post goes a long way.
7. Take Weekends Off (Seriously)
It’s unfortunate that this needs to be said. However, that’s the way of the “always on” work world that we inhabit. If you’re feeling like you have no choice but to burn the candle at both ends, take a step back and remind yourself why the five-day workweek developed in the first place.
According to marketing expert Brandon Gaille, our productivity actually declines when we work for long stretches of time without breaking except to eat and sleep. Disconnecting helps to improve the quality of your work, too. Taking weekends off and disconnecting are important for both your professional life and your personal life.
Be Better Rounded and Show Your Softer Side
Perhaps you’re already working on establishing your thought leadership bona fides. Maybe you’ve been itching to get involved with your kids’ extracurricular activities. Hopefully, you take weekends off.
Whatever you do — or would be willing to do — to show you’re more than another working stiff, here’s hoping you see the value to be better rounded. Others surely will.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced professional world, it is important to remember that your identity goes beyond your job title and daily work responsibilities. Being well-rounded by engaging in meaningful activities—such as volunteering, supporting charitable causes, participating in family activities, developing personal hobbies, or sharing thought leadership—helps build a more authentic and balanced professional image. These actions not only improve personal satisfaction but also strengthen your reputation among colleagues, clients, and the wider community.
At the same time, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and protecting your digital well-being is equally important. When using technology regularly, especially on mobile devices, professionals should also stay mindful of online safety practices, including responsible iPhone Android VPN usage warning guidelines. Using secure networks, reliable VPN services, and being aware of potential risks can help safeguard personal and professional data. Ultimately, balancing personal growth, community involvement, and responsible technology use will help you become a more well-rounded and respected individual both inside and outside the workplace.
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