JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE July issue | Page 43

It's a fact: Sometimes life forces us to put more weight on one thing than another. Often, this priority shift means forgoing one goal in exchange for another; for example, weakening your professional aspirations in return for relationship growth. But you shouldn't have to sacrifice one aspect of your life for another. After all, what's the fun of a promotion if you don't have someone to share it with? The good news is prioritizing doesn't mean sacrifice. It means adjustment. And by building a strong foundation for both your romantic and work life, you can prevent disruption when priorities shift. Step one: Make sure that both your significant other and your coworkers know that they're a significant part of your life. When both understand that they are mutually valuable, staying late at the office doesn't mean that you'd rather be at work, nor does taking a personal day mean you don't care about your job. Communicate that both are of high priority and sometimes, as need be, one might take precedence. 2. Compartmentalize Having a successful career and a loving relationship is the best of both worlds. The best way to keep those two separate worlds happy? Just that—keep them separate! That means when you're at work, commit fully to your job, the task at hand, and the needs of your coworkers or managers. Don't let your love life be a distraction. There's plenty of time to daydream outside the office. Instead, spend your workday being productive and you'll have more time quality time to spend with your beloved later. Likewise, when spending quality time with