Pairing marketing communications and project management sets the stage for a career path that I’m passionate about. Somewhere between the fluff and the rigid guidelines is common ground for the two to co-exist. I get the luxury of working on a variety of projects alongside so many brilliant people that there isn’t really such a thing as “the same old thing” in my field. I’m either planning for a new campaign, juggling a schedule or an SOW of some sort, or chatting up the Account folks for the next big thing. Oftentimes, if you can’t reach me at my desk, it’s because I’m usually running laps around the office chasing after my next deadline. Makes for a good workout.

When I’m not in the office or out in the field, you’ll find that I’m an avid learner at heart. Staying abreast with the latest trends in marketing and project management is one of my pastimes because it allows me to generate new ways of thinking, connects me emotionally to my project and team, and makes me more knowledgeable on the subject matter. Most importantly, I’m an expert in the field and enjoy speaking to these topical and newsworthy events. And I’m hoping one day I’ll spark an interest in you and convince you why these two areas create butterflies in my stomach and make my heart skip a beat.

On top of the week’s 9am-5pm, it’s easy to be consumed by internal process, paperwork, and your company’s “way” that you begin tiptoeing on the borderline of routine. Without taking a step outside for a breath of fresh air or disconnecting yourself from the daily grind, your ability to think outside the box, maneuver within your environment, and switch gears to a more strategic approach becomes limited by the knowledge you’ve already invested in for yourself. Don’t let these opportunities become stale and offset your ability to grow within your field. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, developer, realtor, lawyer, or marketing project manager like myself, you should find ways to stay in shape and keep the heart rate up.

Here are some ways I exercise and stay fit:

Read, read, read. No time to leave your desk or run out to the mailbox to pick up your latest magazine subscription? No worries. With a click of a button, you can find your favorite blog post, search for trending topics on Facebook or Twitter, uncover the latest newsworthy story or article, or subscribe to your favorite RSS feeds. A few of my favorite blogs to follow is Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project” and Eight to Late. You don’t need to be a marketer to pick up some tips from these folks.

Get to know people within your field. What are people in your industry saying? How are people justifying money spent or a raise in head count? Who’s coming up with the next big thing? There are some pretty smart people out there who are willing to share their insights and help you become a leader in the field. You just have to go out there and find them. Here are some networking events in San Francisco that I enjoy: Network After Work, Drink Entrepreneurs, The Commonwealth Club, SF American Marketing Association (SFAMA), Project Management Institute (PMI).

Get involved. Got some extra time on your hands and would like to help out for a good cause? There are several non-profits out there who are looking for industry leaders such as yourself who could benefit from your knowledge and expertise. While I’ve dedicated hundreds of hours to volunteering on boards, visiting convalescent homes, caring for the environment, one of my most rewarding volunteer efforts was to partner with non-profits within Taproot Foundation and provide pro bono marketing and project management for the Jewish Community Center East Bay and International House, Berkeley. I got a chance to diversify my skillset while also helping out those who didn’t always have the expertise or funds to grow their business and better support our community.

Take a class. While there’s no comparison gaining on the job, hands-on experience in the field, it’s therapeutic and almost refreshing to parallel your work experience with the actual methodology and learnings behind it. I’m a big advocate of continuous education and constantly find myself taking a class or two, learning from instructors and your peers. I’ve completed the Project Management and Agile Management series over at UC Berkeley Extension and looking forward to a few others. It’s affordable, classes are available in the evenings and weekends, and you can work at your own pace.

These are some ways I like to stay fit outside of work. What are some ways that you stay fit?