Work – Life Balance
Year after year, we see different phrases and ideas that come into vogue and go out. Remember when the best way to lose weight was “sugar-free.” Eat whatever you want, just make sure that it is sugar free. Later it was fat free. Meat was bad. Eggs were bad. Now, many feel that demon food is grain.
Regardless of what you eat, one item that has been at the forefront of late is “work – life balance.” What a great idea. Here in the U.S., with some companies it’s almost akin to treason to go home at 5pm. Then, for others, it is just as awful if you stay past 5:30pm. So, what is the “right” thing?
There are many studies, role models and options to support whatever idea you wish. I am sure you can find someone who will pretty much advocate a cot at work as a good way to impress the boss. Much of my work is focusing on goals. Without knowing why you are doing what you are doing, how can you decide if you are doing the right thing?
When considering where you wish to land on the work – life balance continuum, consider this: What do you want to get from life? Take the time to decide on your goals. There is a place to sit on this work-life line. I spend a great deal of my time living in this space. Helping clients understand what they want, and why. If you are all about money (your goals about the accumulation of wealth or power), you are very likely to spend more time at work. If you are about family time and money is not a big factor, then the life side of the equation is more for you.
Most of us hover in the middle. You have to work to spend time with your family. You need some time with your family to remember why you work. There is one other option: love what you do enough that it doesn’t feel like work. The downside: if you love what you do, the choice can get to be more difficult because one is not penance for the other. But, that is a great problem to have!
In short, know what you are trying to get from life. If you know your goals, making a decision as to whether to stay late, or work on Saturday, has a guideline to help with the decision. If you are one who feels that your health is the most important thing, then don’t let your work interfere with your health. If you are someone who wants to make sure to be home with your new child as much as possible, you will need to realize that working on Saturday is unlikely to provide you with fulfillment. You may not get the promotion you were hoping for, but you will have the bonding time with your young child.