What is work life balance? Does it really exist?
These seem like pretty simple questions. But they often yield oppositional answers.
Some will respond with an emphatic NO! It’s impossible! It’s a fantastical myth that has been instilled in us by Oprah and Doctor Phil!
Others will proclaim, OF COURSE! Work-life balance is all about working enough to keep food on the table and to feel motivated and fulfilled – but not so much that it interferes with your social life. It means having Sunday afternoons free to play in the park with the kids. It means being a leader in the workplace, and in the community!
But can you think of anyone who has totally achieved this perfect picture?
We couldn’t either.
This is not to say that a work-life balance does not exist: it just doesn’t necessarily come in the neatly wrapped package that we think it will. Even if we do manage to achieve a sense of equilibrium, it only takes one extra work assignment or burnt meal to throw everything back into chaos.
The most important thing to acknowledge is that balance means a different thing to all of us.
To understand work life balance, you have to ask what is work life balance for you.
Once you establish your vision of balance, you can start to work toward it.
Below are some tips for achieving your ideal of work life balance.
Avoid soaking up time
Be conscious of when you are wasting your time. Who isn’t guilty of spending an extra ten minutes absent-mindedly scrolling through their Facebook feed, or watching trashy TV to avoid odd jobs? While these activities are okay in moderation, they don’t really count as downtime. You won’t by any more relaxed or fulfilled afterwards. Cutting out some of your time-absorbing activities will give you an extra hour at the end of the night to kick back and get some time for yourself.
Try to achieve satisfaction at work
Work-life balance isn’t just about making the most of your downtime – it’s also important to find satisfaction at work. If you are feeling overworked, too stressed, or unhappy, consider making a change.
Renegotiate your work hours so you can spend more time with your child, or skip out on that work event and go out for dinner with your partner instead. Of course, your financial situation may not always make this possible. Sometimes you will need to grit your teeth to keep the fridge full. Nonetheless, if you are experiencing sever dissatisfaction at work, make sure you weigh the financial benefits of your job against the detriment it is having on your life. If you feel like it’s not worth it, it might be time to make a change. Always come back to the question, “What is work life balance to me?”.
Make the most of your downtime
When you manage to squeeze in some downtime, be sure to make the most of it. Don’t take a call from your boss, and don’t be tempted to check your email or Facebook account. This is your time to do what you love! Letting a call go to Voicemail doesn’t make your selfish, or mean that you are neglecting your responsibilities. You need to have some quality time away from everything else to recharge, and be your best – both for your workplace and for your family.
What is work life balance for you? Do you have any other tips for keeping balance in check?
The Clarity Road Team
