Meet Alison Alwes | Community Connector and Marketing Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alison Alwes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alison, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Oddly, it took moving to a place where my work and personal overlapped to give me a better understanding of how to balance the two. I have learned that, if you are comfortable with it, your work life and personal life can overlap some, as long as you understand when and how to implement boundaries. Throughout the years, I have come to appreciate boundaries and how they can create positive experiences instead of impediments to growth.

Such boundaries have afforded me better relationships with work colleagues that blend into outside-of-work friendships, have given me space to be creative in all my endeavors, and it allows me to focus on the here and now. A few other ways that I have found to have a better work versus personal balance:

– Intentionally turning off work notifications on my phone. When people go to no phone parties or limit screen time, it allows them to engage with what is in front of them. That is so important to both your work and your personal time. Allow yourself to focus on where you are right now.
– Recognize other people’s strengths. Giving others a chance to try something new can be beneficial for them, your organization, and yourself. I learned to take a step back and let others take control sometimes.
– Realize that no is a full sentence. You cannot and do not need to be at every single thing.
– Find a routine that you will stick to outside of work hours. I take my dog on a walk every morning. That time is meant for podcasts, talking to family and friends, and relaxing. No work is allowed during those times. Those walks are good for my health, and keep my dog happy!
– Running the rat race just to be a part of it is not worth it. I work because I am passionate about the work I do. I also work so I can travel, enjoy meals out, and plan for the future. I don’t need to be the top or the best all the time. I need to have purpose and passion for the work I do. Uncovering why you work allows you to set the boundaries that fit you.
– Know when to advocate for yourself. Determine how you feel valued and advocate for that. If you aren’t feeling valued during work time, it will bleed into your personal time and vice versa.
– Recognize that personal and work things cannot always be left at the door. Mediate or decompress, talk about it with your therapist or partner, then let it go. If you don’t, it carries with you everywhere and that will weigh you down.

Balances shift all the time. I believe it is important to see when one side is weighted too heavily and see how you can adjust. But overall, recognize this is your life. Work and personal time are parts of it, but it is your life, nobody else’s. Know yourself and you’ll know what balance is right for you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Both personally and professionally, what I get most excited about is finding connection points. I love the rush of finding common ground with people I meet and seeing how we can connect them to even more people or organizations. I believe wholeheartedly that when we find connections, build relationships, and work collectively, it is better for us individually and community-wide. My intention is that anytime I leave an interaction, I have left someone with a sense that they have a new friend or at least someone they can rely on to help. My hope is that people remember me as a connector, a passionate community member, and someone who cares deeply for the well-being of others.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my family and my husband. I think they deserve most of the credit when it comes to my successes. (I’ll take 10% of it.) They listen, they encourage, they challenge, and overall they inspire me every day. Without them, I either run into chaos because I am tired of indecision and inaction, or I sit waiting because I am nervous that I’ll interfere with something I shouldn’t. They push and pull me and I would not be who I am without them.

Website: unitedwaynega.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonalwes/