Not sure about you but this overused and often relied upon term has always confused me. What does it really mean? Better yet, what should/can it mean?
To me it represents the separation of 2 cultural ‘things’ we do every day, when in fact they should have symmetry and a single balance that supports who we are, what we do and why we do it. I am not a fan of work/life balance. I am a believer that we need LIFE balance.
Add sleep to the equation and pretty much we spend more time working than we do ‘living’. I want to live my life, enjoy what I do at work and not focus on creating some distinction between the two. Naturally, there will be times when work will get in the way, but so does life.
That’s what makes it both challenging and enjoyable. Looking for the intersection of work and life is just part of the day-to-day and concentrating energy to look for ways to separate them, for me, is a waste of time and energy.
I might be luckier than many, as I love what I do and that will make a difference. But for the many that don’t like, love, or enjoy what they do for work, you must find within yourself the best way to accept that fact and know you are spending 6, 8, 10 or more hours a day doing something that doesn’t ‘scratch the itch’ and recognize that it’s still part of your day.
What about your job do you like? The people, the process, the procedure, the culture, the interface with external resources, the pride that comes from results – There must be something there that offers some form of pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Identify those things and let them/it be the driver. Look for the best way to minimize the stress in life and establish stability. Find and locate your BALANCE.
