How do you apply the life balance formula to your career goals?

If you look at this formula, work is only 1/4 of the equation, yet it often takes up 3/4 of our time and energy. The best investment you can make is in yourself and your loved ones, so be sure to prioritize your well-being and relationships. Therapy helped me to deepen my self-awareness, and to build better connections with those I love. It’s positively impacted the family, work, and society domains too. I also had to set better boundaries with work so that I could be present with myself and those I love. Before, I would answer emails while eating dinner or stress about clients on the weekends, but now, I’ve learned the skills to disconnect so that I can enjoy my downtime vs. feeling guilty during my downtime.

Though there are many ways to break it down, I would agree that the above is a simple and clear way of formulating a balanced life.

I would argue that this formula is not granular enough, which poses a problem when evaluating one’s performance in each area. When people work with the Life Balance Wheel, they most frequently use these areas for evaluation. However, you should feel free to adjust them to prioritize what you find important in life: Work – anything related to your work, career, colleagues, boss Development – professional and personal growth Money – your income, but also your expenditures Home – your family, parents, kids, your free time, hobbies Health – your physical and mental condition Friends – your friends, past and present, social life Romance – your love, spouse, matters of the heart Life Purpose – your mission in this life

After 3 decades of helping clients address this concern, I always suggest starting with a clear understanding that life is constantly evolving and for this reason holding an expectation that the balance can remain stable for any extended period of time is more often than not unrealistic, as it inhibits growth and expanded experience. Planning for certain areas to be out of balance in an intentionally planned rotation allows one to build momentum during periods of change, transition, transformation and growth. For most people, having all zones in "near perfectly balance", likely means you are in a period of stagnancy. An intentional and managed (slight) imbalance allows for continual growth and the most efficient attainment of one's goals.

Don’t forget that this is a complex system. Changes in one area will most likely affect the other areas as well. For example, if you feel unsatisfied with your “Family situation" and decide to fully focus on it, it may easily result in decreased satisfaction with your “Work life". Therefore, it is important to always consider all aspects and work on things that have a synergistic effect on each other. Ideally, try to set goals that will increase satisfaction in multiple areas.

Contrary to common belief, you can be ambitious and achieve work- life integration. Many people think that you need to “pay your dues” in order to progress in your career. But that’s just coded language for burning out on the path to success. Instead, build in opportunities for self-care each day. Qualitatively measure how you feel after you recharge. It’ll actually make you more effective and efficient in your work. For example, I look forward to spending some of my lunch break outside. It gives me a chance to get in some quiet time, I practice mindfulness by listening to the birds, and my mood improves with the vitamin D from the sun. Remember, micromoments of self-care amount to big gains.

Achieving work-life balance is a continuous cycle. There is no set formula, and the approach to accomplish balance needs regular attention based on activities and priorities. Setting and respecting boundaries is an essential aspect of creating balance.

The 6 F's help me integrate work with life. Family: Remain present during important moments, and create boundaries for work to avoid neglecting familial responsibilities. Finances: Prioritize financial stability while also ensuring that work aligns with personal values. Fun: Incorporate hobbies and leisure activities into daily routines to reduce stress and improve mental health. Friends: Build and maintain strong relationships with friends to promote emotional well-being and personal growth. Fitness: Make time for physical activity and prioritize health to improve focus, productivity, and overall well-being. Faith: Nourish spiritual growth and take time for reflection to achieve greater fulfillment and balance in life.

Alongside the ancient Stoics, I suggest forgetting about work-life balance and focusing on eudaimonia, or life flourishing. You can achieve this by integrating all your roles, desires, needs, and wants into one cohesive life. Only by adopting a holistic perspective can you ensure that you live every minute in accordance with your true self and achieve your life goals. Wholeness is a prerequisite for a fulfilling life. By this, I mean feeling complete and satisfied in all aspects of your life. If you feel dissatisfied in one area, it will impact other areas as well. Attempting to overcompensate in other areas may even have a more negative impact on the problematic part.