Career, Lifestyle

One Relationship: Two Roads

January 15, 2009

As I enter my third week of the work I have come to the realization that I am an ‘adult.’ Books and midterms have been replaced by meetings and hours of starting at a computer screen. For most, the corporate work path is well suited for them. Working at Future Delivery I have a truly unique opportunity. I am able to set my own work hours, sleep in as late as I want, and work on any project I want. So you ask what kind of job is this?

This is what it is like to be part of a start-up company. Everything I mentioned previously is not what it may appear. Yes, I can set my own hours, but I have been working approximately 14 hour work days, 7 days a week. I can work on any project, but still need to get them all done. I can sleep in, but if I do, that only means I will sleep even later. The corporate life provides structure, rules, and guidance. In a sense, when you first start out working in the corporate world, you are taught how to work. No one can teach you how to be an entrepreneur or part of a start-up company. Instead, you are given an idea. With that idea, you have to run with it. If the idea doesn’t work. Then pick up another one and run again.

For myself, the person that means the most to me aside from my family members, is my girlfriend. Recently, she joined the corporate world and now works 9-5, 5 days a week. Looking at how far we both have come, I realize that determination has played a big part in where we are today. In high school, we were both determined to be with each other through it all. During college, we made it through a long-distance relationship. Now here we are again. Facing two different paths: Corporate world vs Entrepreuner world. One is where you follow the rules, the other, you make em.’ When her work day is done, mine continues. When her work day starts, mine still is continuing. I have made adjustments to my life so that I am able to spend ‘quality’ time with her. From waking up early and getting more work done during the day, to delegating tasks to others. Just like when you ride a bike, at first you will have bumps and falls, but eventually you will get the hang of it. Similar to that idea, the career paths my girlfriend and I are part of is ‘work in progress.’ We will learn what works and what doesn’t. What is right and what is wrong. Most of all, we will learn how two different career paths can make for one great relationship.

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  • Jun Loayza January 16, 2009 at 12:16 am

    Yu-kai and I have a theory: girlfriends reduce the chance of success for a startup by 15%. Since all of the team members have girlfriends, it looks like we’re on our way to failure!!! hahaha….

    Adjusting to the real world takes time. You and your girlfriend are going to be fine, trust me.

    – Jun

  • Yu-kai January 16, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    I feel you my friend. When I got into a relationship, I was very careful about this, so I found the most rational, anti-emotional, and workaholic girlfriend I can find. I thought since she will be busy all the time she “might” be fine with my crazy schedule. However, I think even though she works really hard to be understanding of my situation, she still gets disappointed and upset at times. This leads to some fights.

    But yea, a good relationship involves mutual understanding and slow adaptation to the other person’s standards. I think if you are truly compatible and that you love each other. Things will turn out well at the end.

  • June February 5, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Thanks for adding me on BC! Your blog is beautiful, by the way… and best of luck with the who girlfriend business :).

  • Joseph Yi February 6, 2009 at 1:11 am

    @ Jun – Girlfriend’s may cause startup success to go down 15% but I think that life wouldn’t be the same without someone to share it with.

    @ Yu-kai – I have learned to balance work – play which has helped since she started work. Hopefully we can work through it.

    @ June – Thanks for the comment! I look forward to reading your blog on BC.