Here's how you can break free from societal expectations and stereotypes about work-life balance.

One of the most impactful changes for me has been shifting my perspective from work-life balance to life-work integration. I am one person, my life needs to integrate all aspects of me. This will look different month over month or year over year. Being intentional about reflecting and understanding if where I am spending my energy and time aligns with my values and priorities. It can be too easy to let life just happen. In the same way we can loose an hour scrolling on our phones, we can loose a season or a year of our life, if we let life happen to us.

One thing that helps me achieve balance is to outline the two to three must accomplish items for the day. I make room for those things and the rest is icing on the cake! You have to make the must do’s a priority and learn to give yourself time permission to deliver a hard “No.”

Many organizations are seeing massive cost-cutting and hence employees are getting huge workload. But we all need to set boundaries for ourselves. We all talk about work-life balance, but when it comes to implementing it, it becomes a tough task. Every individual needs to set their priorities and define boundaries between work, family and personal time. Everyone needs to grow, and that cannot happen by just working for long hours. You need to maintain a healthy balance between work life and personal life. Setting priorities can be a huge step in defining the right boundaries for yourself.

I once heard “no one will respect your boundaries if you don’t communicate them.” Help people understand how you prioritize your time. Block calendars, share working hours/ styles, enforce as much as possible. When I returned to work after maternity leave the first time…I rigorously prioritized my time AND my team’s - ensuring we worked on the most important things, looking for ways to scale, and saying no when needed. We hit our goals, I was promoted to director and my team had great engagement and promos as well. Everyone has a different definition of balance and it will ebb and flow, but it IS achievable. For me, I ask “on my death bed will I be glad I worked those extra hours, or will I be glad I attended my kid’s 5th grade graduation.”

This involves redefining personal priorities and embracing a more individualized approach to career and personal life. Instead of adhering to traditional norms that often dictate long working hours as a measure of success, individuals can prioritize their well-being, relationships, and passions. This shift requires setting clear boundaries, openly communicating these boundaries with employers and colleagues, and seeking workplaces that support flexible schedules and remote work options. By doing so, individuals can cultivate a balanced lifestyle that fosters productivity, creativity, and overall happiness, challenging and gradually changing societal perceptions of what a successful career and fulfilling life should look like.

This is the most ignorant part for workaholic people. If we do not spare time for health, one has to mandate this after few years. Make a routine where health should be mandatory with no compromise.

You may think working 12 hour days is helping you, but scientific research shows that you are working longer and you are, after a while, definitely not working smarter. You have to get enough rest, personal time, sleep and exercise to maintain your health and mental capacity. No one has ever said at the end of their career, I wish I’d have worked longer hours. Remember, effort doesn’t necessarily equal results. Work smarter, not longer!

I had nightmares about some of my past jobs. There never were any supernatural or stranger than fiction things that would occur. The bad dreams always centered on feeling like I didn't do enough. I took work home, stayed up through the night, and worked for free on the weekends; I was hourly back then, so I worked for free! I did this because I did not believe I was enough. This is common in the workplace & we can feel guilty about putting ourselves above our work. If you work hard and give everything your best effort, there is nothing to feel guilty about. You've done right by the organization and must do right by yourself because you can only help others if you help yourself.

There are so many ways to stay active. But what is best kind of exercise? - Answer: The exercise you will actually do. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy, and commit to it. Good habits compound. Start small with exercises you enjoy and build from there.

Work-life balance tends to suggest we can have one or the other. I believe in just life. Life is everything. Work, however, can be an important part of life.

I’ve often said ‘if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life’, and I truly believe this. Work and family activities have always been intermingled for me because I LOVE what I do! At times I may have appeared to be a ‘workaholic’ but it never felt that way to me. I have learned over the years not to push my views on others though. If someone wants to separate work and family more distinctly, I respect that. Follow your heart and if your values align with the work you do, it’s ALL good! ??

Consider what you don't like about the things you do. While this may seem negative and pessimistic at first, using elimination can help you reflect and identify what brings you joy and purpose versus what makes you sad and unfulfilled. Additionally, try looking at your life in terms of years rather than days or months. By zooming out from the nuances and nitty-gritty of daily grind, you can gain a better perspective on the reasons behind your decisions.

Embrace the pursuit of fulfillment as a journey of self-discovery and self-expression. View fulfillment as the compass that directs you towards activities that light up your soul and bring meaning to your days. Cultivate a sense of purpose by aligning your work with your values and aspirations. Embrace joy in the small moments of everyday life, savoring the beauty of connection, creativity, and resilience. Embrace the pursuit of fulfillment as a continuous process of growth and exploration. Seek experiences that enrich your spirit, challenge your limits, and nourish your dreams. Let fulfillment be the driving force behind your quest for work-life balance, guiding you toward a life of abundance, meaning, and contentment.

Seeking flexibility allows for adaptability and balance in life. It involves being open to alternative approaches, adjusting to changing circumstances, and accommodating individual needs. Flexibility fosters creativity, reduces stress, and promotes a healthier work-life integration. Whether it's in work arrangements, daily routines, or personal relationships, embracing flexibility empowers individuals to navigate challenges with resilience and pursue a fulfilling life on their own terms.

Leading a global team spread across all time zones, I used to think "cultivating flexibility" meant being available at any timezone, at any time, for anyone on my team. I was very wrong 2 years of this led to burnout for myself and many members of my extended team. Today, I lead a fully remote team with different contractual working agreements (ex: full-time, contractors, performance-based, etc). To keep everyone collaborative while creating an inclusive, multi-generational workplace where everyone can do their best work, 3 things are critical for us: 1. Set clear, time-bound goals that are visible to everyone 2. Empower the team with processes and tools to work synchronously and asynchronously 3. Prioritize progress over perfection

Embrace the fluidity of change and unpredictability, welcoming new opportunities for growth and balance. View flexibility as a canvas for creativity, allowing you to redesign your schedule and priorities as needed. Embrace the power of adaptability, ready to pivot and explore different approaches to achieving harmony between work and life. Cultivate a mindset of openness and curiosity, seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and personal development. Embrace the art of flexibility as a dynamic force that empowers you to navigate the complexities of modern life with grace and agility. Embrace change as a natural part of the journey towards work-life balance, finding freedom and fulfillment in the ability.

When it comes to work/life balance, flexibility is key. The most important thing to do is to think about all the things that contribute to your work/life balance - things like meditation, down time, vacations, a daily workout, healthy eating, laughing with friends, quality time with family. Consider where you'd like these things to fit into your schedule, but as day-to-day changes take place, hift (don't cancel) those priorities. Didn't make it to the gym this morning? Have a plan for taking a walk or run when you get home. Looks like you won't make it home for dinner? Arrange to bring home ice cream for a catch-up later in the evening over dessert. You may not be able to control your schedule everyday, but you CAN control your choices.

Adaptability is a learned skill that requires both physical and mental strength to recognize what’s working and what’s not. It's human nature to feel complacent and comfortable with familiarity, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that. However, when life throws us a curveball, we need to recalibrate and take stock of our options, often requiring us to give up something—whether it’s comfort, time, relationships, or even well-being. Be kind to yourself and prioritize what matters most to you. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and trust that letting go of what no longer serves you will make room for new possibilities and a more fulfilling future.

Learn your rhythms. How long is your natural sprint cycle - in terms of days/weeks/ months or even hours? Do you do better with a week off every 2 months or 3 weeks twice a year? Build on / off time to match your energy patterns as far as possible. Challenge assumptions around traditional work day calendars and find out when you need exercise / food / rest, and when you are at your most creative / detail-focused / social / quiet. As far as possible flex your calendar to your rhythm not the other way around.

Adapting to the new work-life balance culture is essential. Leading by example is crucial in this shift. Flexibility has become key; we've long been used to working late hours and ensuring everything at work is handled. However, it's now equally important to prioritize our well-being and encourage others to do the same.

As a leader, your influence on how others perceive and achieve life-work balance is profound. Words matter, and so does their order. By advocating for “Life-Work” balance, you prioritize well-being. As the Executive Officer for a U.S. Army Health Clinic in Germany, I noticed my Soldiers stayed as late as I did, feeling compelled to match my hours. This personal imbalance projected the same imbalance onto my team, risking burnout. Setting boundaries is fundamental to leading by example. Advocate for policies that support diverse life-work balance needs, fostering a culture of respect and well-being. Remember, your actions shape the culture and climate of the organization.

My morning dog walking 1:1s were always productive interactions. Off camera, authentic and sure to produce a laugh when my dog inevitably misbehaved, they allowed my directs to have a relaxed, open forum for sharing what was on their minds, discuss new ideas or concerns, ask for help and witness firsthand that I wasn’t doing it all from sitting behind a desk, encouraging them to do the same.

If there is one thing that my experience in Asia taught me, it is to lead by example. I will never forget seeing how staff stayed at the office after working hours. It came as a shock especially after what I saw in Europe. Everyone left the office sharply at the end of the working day. When I delved deeper into the matter, it turned out that, in Asia, it was seen as a form of respect, for staff, to stay at the office till the manager left. Culture does play a big role in getting it right when it comes to leading by example. We only learn from being curious and following through on the behaviour we see to understand the root cause. Then it is up to us as leaders to see how we will address the matter appropriately.

4 ideas to help you redefine balance & find harmony in your life: 1. Accept There Isn't a Perfect Balance: Understand that work-life balance is not about achieving a perfect equilibrium but prioritizing what truly matters. Focus on your most important goals & learn to avoid noise & distractions. This skill will help you manage stress. 2. Prioritize Impactful Tasks: Establish clear boundaries for when you are available for work. During work hours, prioritize tasks that will have the most significant impact first. 3. Be Present: When you are with your loved ones, put your phone down & fully engage in the moments you create. 4.Make Time for Physical Activity: Regular exercise boosts your mood, increases energy levels, & helps manage stress.

Here is my take: 1. Prioritize: Health > Family/Friends > Everything else, irrespective of the stereotype. 2. Be empathetic when managing your time, but also set clear boundaries to protect your personal time and well-being. 3. Embrace chaos and uncertainty; flexibility can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. 4. Seek a work environment that values and supports a healthy work-life balance.

A straightforward framework to look at this problem IMO would be as follows. Life comprises 4 fundamental pillars for a person to be content with his / her quality of life. These pillars are 1. Health 2. Relationships 3. Career 4. Happiness Life is the biggest gift humans are endowed with it, so technically we should be placing all our bets in and around things that improve the quality of life. That means work-life balance is a very counter-productive concept, derogatory & bullshit at best. If our profession satisfies us on more of the aforementioned pillars than just Career, it's great. If it does not, then common-sensically it is not an optimal 'life' choice. Ikigai and other principles sort of align with this too. Thoughts?