The Art of Sustainable Work-Life Balance

The Art of Sustainable Work-Life Balance By Katy Cherkas

The pursuit of work-life balance is often viewed as a destination or endpoint, but research by Ioana Lupu and Mayra Ruiz-Castro in their Harvard Business Review article, "Work-Life Balance Is a Cycle, Not an Achievement," (https://hbr.org/2021/01/work-life-balance-is-a-cycle-not-an-achievement ) provides a more nuanced understanding. Inspired by their insights, I wanted to share my own thoughts. The authors emphasize reflection and prioritization as essential tools for creating sustainable harmony. Yet despite our best intentions, many of us return home from work only to fill our evenings with necessary but uninspiring tasks. We often end up feeling drained, wondering why we're so exhausted despite seemingly managing our time well.

In my experience, this frustration stems from a misconception: it's not just about managing time, but about managing emotional energy. A day filled with excitement, challenges, and social interactions can leave us emotionally drained. Routine evening tasks like cooking, walking the dog, or tidying up often lack the stimulation needed to refill that energy tank. Resting on the couch might seem comforting, but it often leaves us uninspired. Instead, activities like playing tennis, attending an art class, or going to the theater can infuse joy and vitality into the evening, helping us recharge for the next day. Brain hacking has become my favorite tool to transform my days.

Personally, one change that made a significant difference was my morning routine. I now wake up at 4:50 a.m., hit the gym, and arrive at the office by 7 a.m. This routine fills me with a sense of accomplishment and prepares me to tackle the day head-on. It reinforces my confidence in shaping my mindset and making decisions that help me meet any challenge. It might sound like something out of Tony Robbins's playbook—yes, I attended his bootcamp Unleash the Power Within 2023 last year, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Tony is cool! Tony Robbins

So, can we achieve a sustainable work-life balance? I believe it's less about drawing strict lines between "work" and "life" and more about discovering a rhythm that aligns with your values and keeps you energized. What energizes you? What's your way? Everyone has their own energy generator. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

For me, my weekends are now filled with new emotions. Whether it's golfing, playing tennis, exploring the arts, or perhaps clubbing (that's not my thing, haha). I'm constantly trying to inject new thrills into my days. Life's too short to be bored, right?

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