As the pandemic continues to reshape the way we work, more and more people are finding themselves managing multiple jobs at the same time.

While juggling several bosses might seem daunting, experts suggest that polyamorous relationships share many similarities with a professional life filled with different work commitments. And if you’re looking to master the art of handling multiple professional squeezes, who better to learn from than polyamorous experts? In this article, we explore how polyamory can teach moonlighters and job jugglers valuable lessons about balancing competing commitments.

Here are some tips on how to handle multiple jobs like a pro:

Figure out what everyone needs

Before taking on multiple jobs, make sure you understand the expectations of each boss. Each job has its nuances, so identify what your bosses want and need from you, then negotiate a plan that works for everyone.

Communicate, but not about everything

Clear communication is key to any relationship, and work is no exception. Be open about your availability, boundaries, expectations, capacity, and wants. But make sure to frame your answers in a way that highlights your professional skills, rather than unrelated activities.

Professional promiscuity can benefit everyone

Don’t disappear into your job and miss out on building robust social networks. Instead, maintain healthy relationships with colleagues across jobs, and enjoy the socializing and new faces each role provides.

Be transparent about time

Don’t hide your multiple work commitments from your colleagues. Be upfront about your schedule, and let them know when you’ll be available.

Pick jobs as carefully as romantic partners

Just as you choose romantic partners that fit your lifestyle, pick jobs that don’t clash with each other. Avoid needy employers who randomly call you or abruptly change your workload, and find jobs that fit well with each other.

Understand the real causes of conflict

Whether in romantic relationships or professional ones, conflicts often arise when someone isn’t getting enough attention or feels neglected. Stay at the top of your game and meet your bosses’ expectations to avoid conflicts.

In the end, whether you’re juggling multiple jobs or multiple lovers, the key to success is mastering the art of balance, communication, and trust. As the research on nonmonogamy shows, these skills can be transferable across different domains of life, and can help you create more fulfilling and authentic relationships.

At a deeper level, however, there is a spiritual dimension to this pursuit of balance and authenticity. Many spiritual traditions, from Buddhism to Sufism, emphasize the importance of cultivating a non-dual awareness that transcends the boundaries of self and other. In this perspective, the very idea of monogamy or polyamory can be seen as a limiting and illusory construct, based on the false premise that we are separate and isolated beings. Instead, a more expansive and inclusive vision of love and work can emerge when we let go of our fixed identities and open ourselves to the flow of life.

Of course, this is easier said than done, and it requires a lot of inner work and self-awareness. But by embracing the challenges and opportunities of a multiplicitous life, we can tap into a deeper wisdom that goes beyond our individual desires and goals. Whether we call it spiritual growth or personal development, the journey of navigating multiple roles and relationships can ultimately lead us to a more profound and meaningful sense of who we are and what we value. So, don’t be afraid to embrace your nonmonogamous or moonlighting tendencies, and see where they take you on the path of self-discovery and transformation.