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How do you organize your time between your job and personal life?
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Nakul’s Answer
This is actually tough. Because everyone is generally told that they need to spare time from their job and balance their personal life. But it is easer said than done. Now why do I say that is, it actually depends on a multiple factors. For example, the culture of a place where you work, your team, your work, your family, friends and so on. Sometimes you actually want to balance your work and life but the factors that I mentioned above might not allow you to do so.
Hence from my personal experience what I feel is, there are always cycles(periods) that you might work a bit more/less than your average. But I have told my brain that this is normal and sometimes I will have to do this. But rest of the times I try to enjoy with my family, friends and also spare some time for myself. At the same time I do not get disappointed or mentally affected when I sometimes have to work more than the normal hours as now I have already told my mind that this is the reality.
Now coming to organizing that time, I think PLANNING is the solution to most of the problems. And what I usually do is, rather than working a lot for a longer period of time and then going out for a vacation with family/friends, I prefer giving them time everyday in short intervals. And for me it works better. There are apps and of course you could maintain a calendar for these things. But I think that is too much and not needed. You can easily decide and make it a routine. That way you will naturally start managing time better.
In this way, you actually can balance your work and life and enjoy both the things to their fullest.
The next time you feel you are not balancing your work and life tell your mind it is absolutely alright
After a few days gradually change a schedule and see if you are not overworking
Spare time for family, friends and yourself everyday
You will get used to this routine and start enjoying more. Feedback yourself.
Hence from my personal experience what I feel is, there are always cycles(periods) that you might work a bit more/less than your average. But I have told my brain that this is normal and sometimes I will have to do this. But rest of the times I try to enjoy with my family, friends and also spare some time for myself. At the same time I do not get disappointed or mentally affected when I sometimes have to work more than the normal hours as now I have already told my mind that this is the reality.
Now coming to organizing that time, I think PLANNING is the solution to most of the problems. And what I usually do is, rather than working a lot for a longer period of time and then going out for a vacation with family/friends, I prefer giving them time everyday in short intervals. And for me it works better. There are apps and of course you could maintain a calendar for these things. But I think that is too much and not needed. You can easily decide and make it a routine. That way you will naturally start managing time better.
In this way, you actually can balance your work and life and enjoy both the things to their fullest.
Nakul recommends the following next steps:
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Michelle’s Answer
Hey Ana -
I think this is a particularly relevant question for Covid-19 times where folks are working from home and the line between "home" and "work" is not so defined anymore. Here is my advice:
1. BE FIRM ABOUT YOUR WORKING HOURS - consistency is key, and when your teammates understand that you will only respond to emails/attend meetings at these times, you can better respect each other's boundaries. People have lives and families outside of work and it is important that we recognize that. If your work environment is fostering unhealthy standards of work and time management, speak with your manager. And if still then it does not seem that you're being heard, perhaps it's time for a job switch.
2. SET PRIORITIES - this is different for all of us. What is most important to you? What are you working for? I'd recommend setting 3-5 top priorities and focusing on just those to create that focus in your life.
3. ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE - I'm a huge fan of lists (to-do lists, priorities lists, project planning, etc.). If you're a more organized person, you'll feel like you have more control over your life and how much time you're dedicating to different tasks. Time can often slip away from us when we're being complacent. Be intentional! This goes hand-in-hand with #2 - find out what you're spending the most time on and find out if that aligns with your priorities.
You'll do great!
I think this is a particularly relevant question for Covid-19 times where folks are working from home and the line between "home" and "work" is not so defined anymore. Here is my advice:
1. BE FIRM ABOUT YOUR WORKING HOURS - consistency is key, and when your teammates understand that you will only respond to emails/attend meetings at these times, you can better respect each other's boundaries. People have lives and families outside of work and it is important that we recognize that. If your work environment is fostering unhealthy standards of work and time management, speak with your manager. And if still then it does not seem that you're being heard, perhaps it's time for a job switch.
2. SET PRIORITIES - this is different for all of us. What is most important to you? What are you working for? I'd recommend setting 3-5 top priorities and focusing on just those to create that focus in your life.
3. ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE - I'm a huge fan of lists (to-do lists, priorities lists, project planning, etc.). If you're a more organized person, you'll feel like you have more control over your life and how much time you're dedicating to different tasks. Time can often slip away from us when we're being complacent. Be intentional! This goes hand-in-hand with #2 - find out what you're spending the most time on and find out if that aligns with your priorities.
You'll do great!
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John’s Answer
In today’s busy world Ana, prioritizing between your work and your personal life can be a huge challenge. But studies show that a poor work-life balance can result in unhealthy levels of stress, unhappiness, and even reduced productivity.
SEVEN STEPS TO REBALANCE YOUR LIFE
STEP 1.) SET PRIORITIES – Figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be. Ask yourself, “If I could only focus on one thing in my life, what would it be?” That answer is your top priority. What would you focus on second? Third? Fourth? Fifth? You’ve now identified your top five priorities.
STEP 2.) KEEP TRACK – For one week, track how you spend your time. How much time do you spend doing things that don’t matter to you? Or that don’t align with your priorities? Eliminate these things from your life, or delegate them.
STEP 3.) STAY FOCUS – Forget multi-tasking. It’s not possible to focus on two things at the same time. Instead, devote your full attention to the task at hand. When you are working, work. When you are spending time with your family, focus solely on them.
STEP 4.) ME TIME – Book some time to play tennis with a friend, go to an art museum, or have a massage. The activity doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated, or expensive. Put aside an hour on your schedule to read a book, take a walk, or just to be alone. An emergency would most likely have to come up before you’d reschedule an important work meeting. Give your own time the same respect. Put aside an hour on your schedule to read a book, take a walk, or just to be alone.
STEP 5.) KEEP YOUR BALANCE – Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and bad exercise habits can cause you to feel a lack of balance in your life, and can counteract any efforts you are making to achieve work-life balance.
STEP 6.) ASK FOR SUPORT – Tell your boss, family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else involved in your life that you are seeking a better work-life balance. Tell them what your plan is, and ask them to respect it.
STEP 7.) JUST SAY “NO” – Don’t acquiesce to every request that comes your way. If it doesn’t fit into your schedule or align with your priorities, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on more.
Achieving balance in both your work and personal Ana will allow you to perform optimally in both areas.
SEVEN STEPS TO REBALANCE YOUR LIFE
STEP 1.) SET PRIORITIES – Figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be. Ask yourself, “If I could only focus on one thing in my life, what would it be?” That answer is your top priority. What would you focus on second? Third? Fourth? Fifth? You’ve now identified your top five priorities.
STEP 2.) KEEP TRACK – For one week, track how you spend your time. How much time do you spend doing things that don’t matter to you? Or that don’t align with your priorities? Eliminate these things from your life, or delegate them.
STEP 3.) STAY FOCUS – Forget multi-tasking. It’s not possible to focus on two things at the same time. Instead, devote your full attention to the task at hand. When you are working, work. When you are spending time with your family, focus solely on them.
STEP 4.) ME TIME – Book some time to play tennis with a friend, go to an art museum, or have a massage. The activity doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated, or expensive. Put aside an hour on your schedule to read a book, take a walk, or just to be alone. An emergency would most likely have to come up before you’d reschedule an important work meeting. Give your own time the same respect. Put aside an hour on your schedule to read a book, take a walk, or just to be alone.
STEP 5.) KEEP YOUR BALANCE – Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and bad exercise habits can cause you to feel a lack of balance in your life, and can counteract any efforts you are making to achieve work-life balance.
STEP 6.) ASK FOR SUPORT – Tell your boss, family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else involved in your life that you are seeking a better work-life balance. Tell them what your plan is, and ask them to respect it.
STEP 7.) JUST SAY “NO” – Don’t acquiesce to every request that comes your way. If it doesn’t fit into your schedule or align with your priorities, don’t overwhelm yourself by taking on more.
Achieving balance in both your work and personal Ana will allow you to perform optimally in both areas.
Thank You Nakul. “Our generation has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.” — Natalie Portman
John Frick
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Nicole’s Answer
I organize my time between my job and my personal life by setting a daily schedule in order to keep work/life balance. I work weekdays M-F typically between 9 am - 5 pm and used to commute to my office, but with covid I'm now at home 24/7 which is tough. Having the separation of office and home was great as I could easily leave for the day and leave my work at work. Now it's challenging when work is literally at home, so I've found it to be useful to start my day with a checklist of what I need to get done before I can log off for the day. I also make sure to block off time in the morning 8-9 for breakfast and 12-1 for lunch so I have that time for myself without getting sucked into work. My friends/coworkers and I like to schedule virtual social events with each other after work so we can maintain our personal lives outside of "the office". My suggestion would be to to think about your priorities for work and structure your day around completing those tasks, but also making sure you're taking time for yourself. Whatever your schedule and life may be, communicate to your manager/team about your personal priorities so they understand the balance you want to set for yourself :) Whether it's going on a 30 minute walk, hanging out with your significant other, etc. your mental health is #1 so take care of yourself and invest in your "me time".
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Subbaiah’s Answer
This is one of the interesting and most asked questions. One of the main challenges for a lot of working individuals is to keep a steady balance between work and personal life. Some are too engrossed in work life that they tend to spend less time for themselves leading to a lot of problems within and with the loved ones.
Maintaining few things religiously will help getting everything back to normal.
Planning: It includes planning the time you wake up in the morning and ends with you going to the bed at night.
Prioritize: To make a To-do list that must be carried out immediately and the ones that can be given sometime. This not only saves time, but also helps you to concentrate on other important subjects. Prioritizing your tasks or maintaining a to-do list will help you have control on your life and your time.
Rule: Always follow a standard rule of no work-related stuff on your off days. Maintain a strict rule of spending that time with your family and loved ones. You can also indulge in spending some quality “me-time” to relieve yourself from the work stress.
Exercise/ Meditate: Make sometime in your day to meditate or exercise. While exercising helps you maintain a fit body and keep you healthy, meditation helps you strengthen your inner soul and keeps your focus intact by giving greater mental capabilities.
Following these simple steps can make it very effective in maintaining your work-life balance.
Maintaining few things religiously will help getting everything back to normal.
Planning: It includes planning the time you wake up in the morning and ends with you going to the bed at night.
Prioritize: To make a To-do list that must be carried out immediately and the ones that can be given sometime. This not only saves time, but also helps you to concentrate on other important subjects. Prioritizing your tasks or maintaining a to-do list will help you have control on your life and your time.
Rule: Always follow a standard rule of no work-related stuff on your off days. Maintain a strict rule of spending that time with your family and loved ones. You can also indulge in spending some quality “me-time” to relieve yourself from the work stress.
Exercise/ Meditate: Make sometime in your day to meditate or exercise. While exercising helps you maintain a fit body and keep you healthy, meditation helps you strengthen your inner soul and keeps your focus intact by giving greater mental capabilities.
Following these simple steps can make it very effective in maintaining your work-life balance.
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Bri’s Answer
Hi,
Depending on what your career is it can be challenging but not impossible. I’ve changed my work schedule so many times trying to fit it around my son as he was growing. As a single parent I do everything. As my son got older he became more involved in school. I use to work 245pm to 1115pm so I would be able to take him to school and after I dropped him off I would be able to do chores around the house or errands out. Then I worked 645am to 3pm so I can be home when my son got home from school to help with homework, projects, go to after school activities, attend his taekwondo class, and cook dinner. Now I work 1115pm to 7am where I am home all day. Now Im available for anything going involving my son, family and friends. You have to prioritize what’s important and work around it. Depending on what job you have they’re shifts, some jobs already a set schedule which means you can choose to pick that job, some even let you pick your own schedule (not many).
Depending on what your career is it can be challenging but not impossible. I’ve changed my work schedule so many times trying to fit it around my son as he was growing. As a single parent I do everything. As my son got older he became more involved in school. I use to work 245pm to 1115pm so I would be able to take him to school and after I dropped him off I would be able to do chores around the house or errands out. Then I worked 645am to 3pm so I can be home when my son got home from school to help with homework, projects, go to after school activities, attend his taekwondo class, and cook dinner. Now I work 1115pm to 7am where I am home all day. Now Im available for anything going involving my son, family and friends. You have to prioritize what’s important and work around it. Depending on what job you have they’re shifts, some jobs already a set schedule which means you can choose to pick that job, some even let you pick your own schedule (not many).
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Danielle B.’s Answer
This is a good question. I've had a hard time doing this myself. However you must give yourself a break. Even if it means setting boundaries to take a break. Sometimes this requires keeping a schedule of personal time. Just as if you would do when setting daily task. Set aside days when you are just focused on personal care. It can be something simple as going to the doctor, going for walk or watching a movie you wanted to see. Whatever you do just start setting aside time for you that is not work related. Sometimes you have to hit the reset button when you become too absorb in one thing more than the other.
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Sonal’s Answer
Hi Ana,
This is a great question. I'm happy you are thinking about this - the first step to creating a work-life balance is acknowledging the need for having your own space in each sphere. So kudos to you on this! While there isn't a one size fits all answer to this question, I wish to share with you a few things that have worked for me personally.
1. Communicate openly: I find it very useful to communicate my commitments personal or business to people who matter. If I have a personal engagement, I ensure I can take time off and let my colleagues know about it in advance. I also think communication becomes important in the professional setting, if you find yourself in situations where you are constantly overworked. You can surely give good constructive feedback to your managers and solicit their help to create avenues for you to feel less burned out or burdened. Most of my managers have always been super nice and careful and helped me achieve my personal goals, when I have had open communication with them.
2. Find time to unplug: I have realized that work-life balance become especially challenging for me when I haven't taken time off to decompress - like, say I've wanted to go to a pottery class with a friend but I've pushed it out due to fatigue or just not having the will to go out on a weekend after a really hectic week. It's important to take time to rest, but it's equally important to pursue hobbies, and truly make time for personal commitments as well.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Sonal
This is a great question. I'm happy you are thinking about this - the first step to creating a work-life balance is acknowledging the need for having your own space in each sphere. So kudos to you on this! While there isn't a one size fits all answer to this question, I wish to share with you a few things that have worked for me personally.
1. Communicate openly: I find it very useful to communicate my commitments personal or business to people who matter. If I have a personal engagement, I ensure I can take time off and let my colleagues know about it in advance. I also think communication becomes important in the professional setting, if you find yourself in situations where you are constantly overworked. You can surely give good constructive feedback to your managers and solicit their help to create avenues for you to feel less burned out or burdened. Most of my managers have always been super nice and careful and helped me achieve my personal goals, when I have had open communication with them.
2. Find time to unplug: I have realized that work-life balance become especially challenging for me when I haven't taken time off to decompress - like, say I've wanted to go to a pottery class with a friend but I've pushed it out due to fatigue or just not having the will to go out on a weekend after a really hectic week. It's important to take time to rest, but it's equally important to pursue hobbies, and truly make time for personal commitments as well.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Sonal
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Ruby’s Answer
A very good question and lots of very good answers.
In my opinion one has to constantly prioritize what is more important for them at that point in his/her life. Everybody has different priorities and goals at any point, e.g. if you are an ER doctor and you are getting paid to be available 24X7 that means you are ready to compromise personal time when you are on call. The point I am making is one has to be fair to oneself as well as the employer. To be fair to yourself you need to set priority of personal time and look for work which fits your priorities.
It is up to you to say "no" to work when you want to enjoy more personal time. Most of time people understand it. If they do not, you need to evaluate again if it is once in a while or is it becoming expectations for you to be available during your personal time. If it is later your job has evolved and employer has changed the expectations. Hence you have to re-evaluate your priorities and see if this job can help you manage them.
In my opinion one has to constantly prioritize what is more important for them at that point in his/her life. Everybody has different priorities and goals at any point, e.g. if you are an ER doctor and you are getting paid to be available 24X7 that means you are ready to compromise personal time when you are on call. The point I am making is one has to be fair to oneself as well as the employer. To be fair to yourself you need to set priority of personal time and look for work which fits your priorities.
It is up to you to say "no" to work when you want to enjoy more personal time. Most of time people understand it. If they do not, you need to evaluate again if it is once in a while or is it becoming expectations for you to be available during your personal time. If it is later your job has evolved and employer has changed the expectations. Hence you have to re-evaluate your priorities and see if this job can help you manage them.
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Jason’s Answer
Hi Ana,
To start off I would like to say I am glad you are finding the line between your job and your personal life somewhat vague which means you have options to choose from. It's a good sign that you are asking for opinion because you acknowledge what's happening in your life instead of feeling lost and out of control.
Many people juggles between several jobs, family, financial hardship, health issues, and many more at the same time. To tell you a little bit how I cope with all the stress I can share my background with you. I am employed and an entrepreneur at the same time. That takes up most of my time from the morning all the way till late evening. As you keep juggling you will encounter a time when you feel like the schedule is so tight you are gasping for air. When the time comes I always spare once a week a wind down day no matter how tight my schedule is. Go somewhere scenic is has been my thing. Enjoy the natural beauty of what Mother Earth has to offer. Even taking drive is beneficial to help take things off your mind for a little while. I use my HomePod to listen to meditation music curated by Apple Music to create a sense of transformation from work to life and vice versa. Sometimes Apple Watch senses that I have been sitting on the chair too focus on my work for a long time and it will notify me I have been sitting for too long without standing. Same thing goes for breathing sometimes all you need to do is a deep breathe and you can start everything all over. Most important of all is that you have to find satisfaction from what you do both professionally and personally and that would make a world of difference on how to perceive what's work and what's personal.
The skill of juggling is never easy to master but one thing I know for sure is that no one is born capable of doing the things that they are doing now. Next time when you feel stressed out just take a moment to step back, take a deep breathe, stretch a little and do what you can with a little push. Cheers.
To start off I would like to say I am glad you are finding the line between your job and your personal life somewhat vague which means you have options to choose from. It's a good sign that you are asking for opinion because you acknowledge what's happening in your life instead of feeling lost and out of control.
Many people juggles between several jobs, family, financial hardship, health issues, and many more at the same time. To tell you a little bit how I cope with all the stress I can share my background with you. I am employed and an entrepreneur at the same time. That takes up most of my time from the morning all the way till late evening. As you keep juggling you will encounter a time when you feel like the schedule is so tight you are gasping for air. When the time comes I always spare once a week a wind down day no matter how tight my schedule is. Go somewhere scenic is has been my thing. Enjoy the natural beauty of what Mother Earth has to offer. Even taking drive is beneficial to help take things off your mind for a little while. I use my HomePod to listen to meditation music curated by Apple Music to create a sense of transformation from work to life and vice versa. Sometimes Apple Watch senses that I have been sitting on the chair too focus on my work for a long time and it will notify me I have been sitting for too long without standing. Same thing goes for breathing sometimes all you need to do is a deep breathe and you can start everything all over. Most important of all is that you have to find satisfaction from what you do both professionally and personally and that would make a world of difference on how to perceive what's work and what's personal.
The skill of juggling is never easy to master but one thing I know for sure is that no one is born capable of doing the things that they are doing now. Next time when you feel stressed out just take a moment to step back, take a deep breathe, stretch a little and do what you can with a little push. Cheers.
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Krithi’s Answer
The art of balancing the work and personal life depends on YOU .These are the few ways to do this 1.Focus on prioritizing time -I know it is easier than done but once you learn to prioritize it really helps to focus on achieve your to-dos easily 2.Disclipline about your work hours -sticking to this is very important is achieving the balance life 3. Invest in your personal well being -If you do not have time for yourself , you will find it hard to achieve bigger things ,your mind would be cluttered .Hence this is very important find energy by investing in personal well being .4. Find technology that would help to be organised -I know technology can not help you all the time but sometimes it helps to organised 5.Manage your mind through mindfulness techniques like breathing ,meditation ,yoga or exercise 6.Play on your strengths
Hope these are useful for you ,Good luck
Hope these are useful for you ,Good luck
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Tina’s Answer
This is a very important and sought topic these days. I can share my experience on what I follow to balance my work and personal life .
Prioritizing your work is most important. Make to-do list for the day and work on high priority work first. I usually start my day early so that I have some me time left in the evening hours.
Starting your day with some exercise or Yoga or meditation helps to stay focused and calm and finish the work early.
Always have a set time for working , and try not to stretch over it . Keep weekends for yourself and have some outdoor activities and rejuvenate yourself with whatever makes you comfortable.
Ensure to have a clear and proper communication with your stakeholders to get a clarity of work and avoid redundancy. Try to have timely constructive 360 feedback to improve.
Prepare on weekends for you week ahead.
Prioritizing your work is most important. Make to-do list for the day and work on high priority work first. I usually start my day early so that I have some me time left in the evening hours.
Starting your day with some exercise or Yoga or meditation helps to stay focused and calm and finish the work early.
Always have a set time for working , and try not to stretch over it . Keep weekends for yourself and have some outdoor activities and rejuvenate yourself with whatever makes you comfortable.
Ensure to have a clear and proper communication with your stakeholders to get a clarity of work and avoid redundancy. Try to have timely constructive 360 feedback to improve.
Prepare on weekends for you week ahead.
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Simeon’s Answer
Getting the work-life balance right is a combination of researching which jobs you apply for, advocating for yourself, and setting healthy boundaries. You'll want to look up the companies that you're interested in on Glassdoor and see how flexible the work environment is and how many hours a week you might be expected to work. You'll want to be clear with your hiring manager and supervisor about your goals regarding work-life balance. It's better to be up front and direct about your aspirations and work collaboratively with your supervisor to get there. You can find ways that you can contribute or demonstrate your worth as an employee if they are hesitant in helping you get work-life balance. Setting healthy boundaries means saying "no" when people try to unload work they're responsible for onto you. It's often appropriate to help others out, but make sure that they're not taking advantage of your generosity or flexibility. Come up with a good idea of what your boundary is between being an effective team player and what would start to feel like being a doormat for others. It's not fair to you if you stay late working on a project that belongs to someone else and they're not willing to sacrifice their own time for their own project.
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Katherine’s Answer
It can only be said that working time is a part of life. How long is the working time is how much time is allocated to work, and the rest is private time
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Maximo’s Answer
Finding a job that brings you joy is a great start to this balance. The concept of Ikigai can help you find something that meets your needs. Imagine a venn diagram with 4 overlapping circles
What you are good at
What the world needs
What you love
What you can be paid for
The more of those you are able to find the more satisfied with work you'll likely be. Not being drained from your day job makes it so much easier to find balance with the things you enjoy doing outside of work.
What you are good at
What the world needs
What you love
What you can be paid for
The more of those you are able to find the more satisfied with work you'll likely be. Not being drained from your day job makes it so much easier to find balance with the things you enjoy doing outside of work.
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angel’s Answer
It will take your whole life to learn how to balance between your job and personal life, you should find a comfortable way to do. We got different goals in different stage, that's why we need to figure it out what we want to achieve at that time. You also can make a plan for yourself to stay alone to reflect yourself and slow down your step.
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