Balancing the Grind with Oscar Omegna, Founder & CEO at Volta Rocks

Oscar Omegna is the Founder & CEO at Volta Rocks, an energy-saving platform for councils to track carbon footprint and energy cost reduction.

Let’s start with your background! Can you share with us your career journey and what you’re currently up to?

 I’m a commercial engineer with a postgraduate degree in international business and entrepreneurship, and I’ve been living in the tech and innovation industry for over 18 years.

These days, I’m the founder of Volta Rocks, where we’re all about creating innovative solutions that make a real impact. That is how we came up with the Volta Rocks energy savings app set to release in June 2023. This app gives people the power to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint while making their lives easier and more efficient.

As an entrepreneur, I’m about pushing boundaries and bringing new ideas to life. I’m passionate about making a real difference in the world, even a small one, and I’m always looking for the next thing to do.

We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?

I start my day pretty early, usually just before the kids wake up. After checking the news and doing some light reading, I take my dog for a walk and prepare lunch and backpacks for my family. My partner and I do 50/50 drops, so if it’s my turn, I stop for a coffee after dropping off the girls. Depending on my mood, I might go for a soy latte or a long black.

Once I arrive at work, I check my inbox and move to the archive, action, or waiting for folders, and then I spend five minutes writing down my goals for the day. I try not to schedule more than six meetings a day, with a mix of 80% external and 20% internal meetings.

The day goes by quickly, and before I know it, it’s time to pick up my little ones around 3:30. After giving them dinner, around 5ish, my partner arrives, and I head back to my home office, where I work in and out until around 8-9 pm every day. Some days are a bit later, while others are a bit earlier, but that’s generally how my day goes.

Overall, my day is pretty hectic, but I’ve learned to manage my time well and prioritise my tasks to ensure that I’m able to achieve my goals while still taking care of my family.

Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share with us your approach in maintaining it?

 For me, work-life balance is about finding a healthy equilibrium between my work responsibilities and my personal life. It’s about making sure that I’m able to fulfil my professional obligations while also taking care of my physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

To maintain this balance, I try to establish clear boundaries between my work and personal time. This means being intentional about when I start and end my workday, as well as limiting the amount of time I spend checking emails and engaging in work-related tasks outside of business hours.

I also prioritise self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones. By making time for these activities, I’m able to recharge and stay focused on my work when I’m in the office.

Finally, I make an effort to be selective about the projects and activities I take on and to prioritise those that are most important and fulfilling. This helps me avoid burnout and ensures that I can maintain a healthy balance between my work and personal life.

Overall, achieving work-life balance requires intentionality and a commitment to making time for both work and personal pursuits. By establishing clear boundaries, prioritising self-care, and being selective about work-related activities, I’m able to maintain a healthy balance and be more productive and fulfilled in all aspects of my life. 

Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?

 In the past year, I have consciously prioritised my physical and mental well-being by making lifestyle changes.

One of the most significant changes I have made is to set aside time for fun and games. I use how much I enjoy certain activities as a gauge to prioritise and make changes to ensure my mind is healthy and my physical health is in check. This approach has allowed me to balance work and personal life and helped me be more productive and fulfilled in both areas.

Recently, I started with a five-minute journal and thirty minutes of daily meditation to add reflection time during the day. This has been a game-changer in building clear boundaries between family and work time. Although I may be connected for long periods of time, when I am with my loved ones, I focus purely on them.

These lifestyle changes have helped me achieve a better work-life balance, and I am committed to finding new ways to maintain it. Prioritising physical and mental well-being is crucial to success in all aspects of life.

We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you in your journey towards balance?

 I’m always on the lookout for new sources of inspiration and guidance when it comes to achieving work-life balance. Here are a few of my favourite books, podcasts, and newsletters that have helped me on my journey:

Books:

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey – This book is a classic, and for good reason. Covey’s advice on setting priorities and organising your life has been invaluable to me.
• Atomic Habits by James Clear – This book offers a practical, step-by-step guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones. It’s been incredibly helpful for me in establishing new routines and behaviours.

Podcasts:

• “The Tim Ferriss Show” – Tim Ferriss interviews some of the most successful people in the world, and his show offers a wealth of insights into productivity, personal development, and work-life balance.
• “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” – This podcast is about finding happiness and fulfilment. Gretchen Rubin shares practical tips for improving your daily habits and routines.

Newsletters:

• “The Skimm” – This newsletter delivers daily news and current events in a fun and engaging format. It’s a great way to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
• “The Daily Stoic” – This newsletter offers daily insights and inspiration from the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. It’s been a great source of wisdom and perspective for me.
• Recently the “Puddle Pod” by Startmate CEO Michael Batko

Overall, these books, podcasts, and newsletters have been invaluable resources for me on my journey towards achieving work-life balance. I recommend them to anyone looking for guidance and inspiration on this topic.

Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

 One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my journey towards achieving work-life balance is the importance of setting clear priorities and boundaries. It’s essential to take the time to reflect on what’s truly important to you and then make deliberate choices that align with those priorities.

Another critical insight I’ve gained is that work-life balance is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. What works for one person may not work for another. Experimenting and finding the best approach for you and your unique circumstances is essential.

Finally, balance is not a static state but rather an ongoing process. It requires ongoing effort and attention to ensure you’re making time for the things that matter most in your life.

Ultimately, achieving work-life balance is about finding the right mix of work, play, and rest that allows you to thrive and feel fulfilled in all areas of your life. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth the effort. By staying committed to your priorities, being flexible, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can achieve the balance you need to live a happy and productive life. 

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