Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 25 or so years, I’m sure you’ve heard the term “work-life balance” tossed around by human resource personnel and self-proclaimed masters of productivity. In today’s modern, ever-changing, 24/7 work environment, it’s incredibly easy to find yourself texting away on your BlackBerry in one hand while trying to bathe your 2-year old with the other. The difficulties of trying to harmoniously integrate our work lives with our personal lives are enough to drive us all up the wall!
And that’s where the concept of work-life balance comes into play. If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard the term mentioned at least 659 times throughout your career and you think you have a pretty decent understanding of what it means—but do you really? Have you ever taken the time to read further into the work-life balance concept and attempt to apply it’s principles to your own life and career? Whether you have or haven’t, I’d like to offer you my thoughts on the matter after spending a few hours researching the subject.
The common misconception
Like a lot of men tend to do, I went ahead and assumed I knew everything there was to know about work-life balance (based solely on those three words alone) and much to my chagrin, I was wrong. I had always assumed that work-life balance was the end result of the few super-human people who could effectively find that perfect equilibrium between their work and personal lives. As I read more into the concept however, I quickly realized that work-life balance isn’t a result at all, it’s a process. In other words, it’s a bit of a misnomer as it’s something that is constantly evolving and can never really be 100% achieved.
Properly defined, work-life balance is the constant prioritizing of career and leisure-related activities. What I find most intriguing about the concept is that it’s not “set it and forget it”. In fact, to achieve the highest level of work-life balance and ultimate satisfaction between both your personal life and career, you’ll need to make a conscious effort to practice the art of prioritization on a daily basis.
Finding the balance
Now, before you panic, throw your hands up in frustration, and surf on over to your favorite Hollywood gossip blog, let’s spend a few minutes reviewing the most effective ways to achieve an optimal level of work-life balance.
- Be realistic. I think it’s important to stress this one right off the bat because people tend to get a little carried away with their illusions of grandeur. Let me tell you right up front, you’re never going to achieve perfect work-life balance. It’s simply not possible, so do yourself a favor and realize that now. What you can do however, is strive to achieve the greatest balance you possibly can without making painful sacrifices. The key is to realize that there’s only 24 hours a day and sadly, you’re only human. You’re going to have to make the most of the hand you’ve been dealt.
- Prioritize. Not to knock the scatterbrains out there, but I couldn’t imagine what kind of mess my life would be in if I didn’t constantly prioritize my goals and responsibilities. By doing so, you gain a sense of accomplishment after completing each task and that boost of encouragement makes completing the next one that much easier. If you find task prioritization difficult, try setting some time aside each day to allow yourself to think through your tasks and the potential consequences of completing one before another.
- Strive for efficiency. Cut out time-wasting activities and processes in favor of efficiencies. If you find yourself updating your Facebook status when you should be reviewing a sales contract, turn the computer off. Try to find ways to eliminate distractions. To achieve an optimal work-life balance, you’re going to need to focus heavily on efficiency while mitigating distractions.
- Chill out. Stop worrying. Relax. Take up yoga. Climb Mount Everest…or on second thought, maybe just go for a hike on your neighborhood nature trail. Just do something that gets your mind off your responsibilities for a little while and it will do you a world of good. The break from day-to-day life will allow you to regroup, gather your thoughts, and tackle your next challenge with a clear mind and able body.
- Say “NO!” Easily my favorite of these five tips. My fiancee, who’s currently finishing up a chemistry degree, does anything and everything that’s asked of her, regardless of whether or not it’s required for her to graduate. On top of a full course load, she teaches, tutors, assists in labs, and grades papers. I’m relatively sure that the word “No” is not in her vocabulary, which is a shame, because the burden of work has taken a noticeable toll on her, both physically and emotionally. Learning to say “No” is one of the most effective methods available for reclaiming your sanity and giving yourself some time to relax and reflect.
Why work-life balance is critical to your success
It’s pretty simple really; without a sense of balance in our lives, we eventually become overworked, overstressed, and ultimately, we burn out. While I’m all for going above and beyond at work, I think it’s important to draw the line at some point and indulge in personal activities that you enjoy as well. By taking the necessary time and measures to find your ideal work-life balance, you’re essentially making an investment in yourself that will pay handsome dividends in the future.
Your tips and stories
And now I hand the mic to you. If you have any relevant tips or stories you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them.
Image courtesy of SpAvAAi
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