Debunking everything you thought about work-life balance
The average individual occupies various roles - Child, parent, sibling, student, business owner, employer, employee, partner, etc. No wonder it can often feel painfully impossible to balance it all, especially when you’ve been taught to believe certain things about what it takes to achieve balance.
Here are four truths about work-life balance that you need to acknowledge today;
1. Balance looks different for everyone
We are all different with different needs. Some people may feel most balanced when they can spend equal amounts of time on work and personal pursuits, while others may prefer to prioritise one area over the other at different times.
This is particularly true in different ages and stages of life. When you are younger, your stamina and need for higher income will likely mean you prioritise working longer and an active social life over alone time and sleep. On the other hand, as you get older, your higher disposable income may afford you more sleep and personal time. Balance will be different for a single person compared to a married person, someone with kids, and those without.
It also varies depending on your goals. A person starting their own business may need to put in long hours, in the beginning to get the business off the ground. This may mean temporarily prioritising work over their personal life. On the other hand, someone working in the same job for several years may be more interested in taking on new hobbies and pursuing personal interests, which could lead to a greater focus on their personal life.
The important thing is to find what works best for you and your unique circumstances. It's okay to shift the balance between work and personal life as long as you maintain a sense of overall satisfaction and well-being.
2. Even in today’s career-centred culture, work-life balance is still achievable.
With smartphones, computers, and the expectation that we will be available to answer emails and take calls at all hours, it can seem like work-life balance is an impossible dream. However, achieving balance is possible, even in today’s hustle culture. It may require setting boundaries and proactively making time for personal pursuits. This could mean setting limits on when you will check work emails or consciously disconnecting from work when you are not on the clock. It may also involve finding ways to be more efficient with your time to get your job done without sacrificing your personal life.
3. Desiring balance is not a sign of weakness.
Some people may view the pursuit of work-life balance as a sign of weakness or lack of dedication to their job. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. When people feel burnt out or overwhelmed, their performance at work can suffer. I have experienced firsthand the effects of non-optimal levels of health. On two occasions, I took relatively long absences (between two to four months) from work when my health needed to be prioritised. These incidents included the odd days off to recharge or recover from minor illnesses. Whenever my physical or mental health was not at its best, delivering optimal performance and contributing value was more challenging. By making time for personal pursuits and taking care of your overall well-being, you will be better able to stay focused and motivated at work while being healthy overall.
4. Achieving Balance is a journey, not a destination
Work-life balance needs to be actively managed and maintained over time. As your job and personal commitments can change and evolve, so can you. While you may get to a point where work-life balance is easier to manage, there likely won’t be one particular moment where you’ve achieved it permanently.
It can take years to get to a place where you have a comfortable balance between work and life. As you progress in your career and life, you’ll be able to identify what steps you need to take to create a healthy balance.
This article was written by Mary Mosope Adeyemi, career strategist and author of Visible Strengths, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Roving Heights, Scribd and Selar today.
