You feel like you’re always on the clock. How can you find a work-life balance that works for you?

Work-life balance means effectively dividing your time and energy between work demands and other aspects of life. It looks different for everyone. The key is aligning career and lifestyle priorities. For some, balance means segmenting work and personal strictly through firm boundaries. For others, integrating work and life more fluidly fits their needs and values. There is no universal ideal split between domains. Balance is personal - assessing your individual well-being needs and creating sustainability.

The degree to which I feel I’m in the flow vs being on the clock 24/7, is an indicator for me as to when I’m off balanced. My values and priorities also help to ensure I’m not constantly working. Knowing when to say no and actually saying no is another way I navigate the tension between work and life. Work life balance is personal to each individual. But knowing what will tip too much to one side, and having the self awareness and discipline to recalibrate is essential.

Work-life balance is a new concept that didn't exist up until recently. In the past the scope of work was very clear and work time was distinct from "non-work" time (you went to the office, you came back home). There were no mobile notifications to drag you back in. It might be useful to think about this as work is part of life. They are not two separate entities. Also the notion of work is bad and life is good is not useful. Work-life balance is the idea that a fulfilling life outside of work helps improve work performance while reducing stress. Work-life balance simply means striking a healthy balance between our working life and our personal life, which is not necessarily about equal hours, or counting the hours in each activity.

Pursuing greater balance matters for several reasons. Chronically overworking leads to burnout, harming productivity and health. Time for family, friends, and self-care enhances overall well-being and relationships. Balance allows following passions outside of work. It provides energy to bring full presence to both realms rather than constant depletion. Integrating work and life reinforces each domain’s meaning. With purpose beyond work, you perform better. And deeper life commitment strengthens work fulfillment. Balance benefits all areas of life through mutually reinforcing harmony.

When we get this balance wrong, the consequences are: - Fatigue, exhaustion, and stress - Poor health - Lost time with family and friends - Our sleep suffers And generally it is not sustainable and might lead to burnout.

This is really important and hard topic because this barriers is real. Do you ever feel bad about your position, progress, career in general? Me too. My advice is - set up a clear goals for yourself for the longer period of time (6 - 12 month). This period is long enough to see the progress of your actions, however same period will not dictate your future life - you can say "Stop" to something after a year without a huge impact. Each month compare your results, based on the facts, not your feelings to the progress towards the goal. You want to change the career field? Great! What was done for the last month? How many courses you attended? Did you have a mentor? How many articles you read? Focus on facts, not feelings

Barriers to work-life balance can be particularly challenging when living in an expensive city with high living costs, long commute times, and an intense work culture. However, achieving work-life balance is a continuous effort that requires self-awareness, assertiveness, and proactive measures to overcome these barriers. By assessing our priorities, setting boundaries, and actively seeking solutions for our well-being and mental health, we can strive for a more fulfilling and balanced life.

The solutions that worked for me are: - I time block and add blocks for Family, date nights, learning, and Gym. That way, I have no excuse not to be able to balance. - I do not believe that there is a balance. You go through ups and downs. Sometimes you have a lot at work and you need to dedicate more time to that and sometimes it is family and personal that takes more time. You have to choose. It is in the end a choice. - Hybrid work, creates and gives way to have that balance. I was working in a company post covid that refused to have hybrid work, this led to me missing critical family events and eventually led to me leaving that organization.

We've already discussed what are the barriers, so let's reverse them: - Define clear expectations around your role - Set boundaries based on those expectations - Learn how to say no and not over-commit - Learn how to delegate work to others - Learn to prioritise yourself - Learn resiliency and self care strategies that work for yourself to reduce and manage stress. For example, get enough sleep, remove screens after hours, maintain an exercise routine... - Learn to manage up - Be a role-model to others in your company - Ask for flexibility

I think work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being. Personally, I tend to negotiate and prioritize pursuits whether work, pet project family, and relaxation, which are essential for mental and physical health. To Achieve this balance requires me, setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and making time for leisure activities. Striking the right balance leads to increased productivity, reduced stress, and greater satisfaction in both professional and personal spheres. It's a key factor in fostering a fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle.

I find the concept of "work-life balance" somewhat limiting. It implies a constant struggle to maintain a perfect equilibrium, which can sometimes feel quite stressful. Instead, I am a strong advocate for "work-life integration", which acknowledges the natural ebb and flow between these domains. On some days, work demands might be higher, and on others, personal priorities might take center stage. When we are happy and fulfilled in one aspect of our lives, it can often spill over and positively impact the other. This dynamic approach allows for greater flexibility and fulfillment in both areas, ultimately leading to a more balanced and enriching life.

Work-life balance isn't something that happens to you; it's something that you make happen. Remember that you're the only one who can truly change your work-life balance. You're also the only one who knows when you're tilting off balance. It's up to you to set your own boundaries, make your own decisions on how you spend your time, and ultimately find a way to accommodate work demands and life priorities at the same time.

No one is perfect, so don't be too hard on yourself. And ask yourself: What is worth spending time and energy on in your life?

After all, work-life balance is not just about dividing time between work and personal life; it is about prioritizing our well-being. Neglecting work-life balance can lead to increased stress, burnout, and a decline in physical and mental health. It is crucial to recognize that our well-being should be a priority, and achieving a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term happiness and fulfillment. It is an ongoing process that I am also learning!