Wine-Making & Work-Life Balance
Is it hard to find a work-life balance when working in an industry that reacts to seasonal changes?
This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful grounds of Chapel Down, touring the vineyard, learning all about the English wine-making process, and sampling their produce, of course.
I was struck by how dependent the industry is on the elements, and curious about what impact this might have on the work-life balance of the people working in the wide range of jobs that service the industry.
In discussing this with our tour guide, she shared her own remarkable experience:
A pilot for a large British airline, she was made redundant during a Covid lockdown. Necessity prompted a career change, and, passionate about wine, she decided to turn a hobby into her next career pursuit, and joined the Chapel Down team.
It just goes to show that everyone has a work-life balance story to tell.
Our tour guide taught us that wine-making is a risky business, and one that people tend to get into because of their love for the product and process. That helps contribute to it being an industry associated with a positive work-life balance.
But it’s hard work. Physically. And a lot of things are out of your control, such as the weather and the inclinations of insects. All of which can have a direct impact on your work and income.
So I guess it takes some resilience too.
Which is another lesson that our tour guide inadvertently shared. When circumstances force changes to your working situation, turning to the things that bring you joy may not just help you recover from shock, frustration or disappointment. It may just lead you to your next big opportunity.
And what better way is there to regain your balance than that?