Crafting Your Life-Work Balance

The notion of work-life balance has long been a sought-after ideal.?

I like to call it life-work balance.

Your colleague, spouse, or CEO may require different needs.

In a world where we often find ourselves juggling numerous responsibilities, it's easy to get caught up in the illusion that achieving work-life balance is as simple as following a one-size-fits-all formula.?

But the truth is, there's no ready-made manual for this. What works wonders for one person may not be the perfect fit for another. Finding that elusive life-work balance is an intimate, tailor-made process that calls for thoughtful planning (and it's really helpful to do this with an unbiased source, like a coach ;)

As we witness the rise of burnout, economic challenges, and people questioning their paths, it's evident that many are seeking ways to harmonize the demands of life.

As a result, some organizations continue embracing the hybrid workplace, and individuals are reevaluating their approach to life-work balance.

In my years spent as a leader in large organizations and even now working with clients, here are some of the most common imbalances:?

1. A mom wants to get a haircut/go to the dentist/make a massage appointment for that stiff neck and shares that she keeps canceling because she can’t find the time.?
2. A teammate shares all they do is work, and they miss having a social life. Their friends forget to invite them out because they always have to cancel due to work.
3. A peer wants to leave work “on-time” and have dinner with the people they love at a table with cutlery.?
4. A dad tells his colleagues that he must leave early to see his child’s daytime performance in a school play but is totally stressed about the meeting they will miss.?
5. A client doesnt take all their vacation, ultimately leaving part of their compensation on the table.?
6. A peer gets unlimited PTO but feels like they can’t take it because they don’t know the right amount to take.?

If you don’t feel great, rested, or content, fill-in-positive emotion will come through in your performance.?

There’s a teaching one of my spiritual mentors taught me a few years ago

I believe it’s based on the Buddhist tradition.?

You first, then me first.?

When I put MYSELF first, I then can put YOU first.?

You have to take time for yourself. At times, you need to be self-centered.?

If you are not centered on you are you waiting for someone else to be focused on you??

To create the life-work balance, I think about it in a nurturing three-pillar approach that empowers you to cultivate your unique life-work integration:

• Vision - Envisioning Your Ideal Future: Take a moment to reflect on your future self. What does that version of you want and need? How does your life differ from what it is now? Consider the impact you want to create on various aspects of your life, from your personal relationships to your professional sphere and your contribution to your industry.
• Requirements - Shaping Beliefs: Identify the essential requirements for your life-work balance. Delve into your beliefs regarding relationships, boundaries, networking, skill development, self-care, health, nutrition, sleep, and finances. Craft beliefs that align with your aspirations, and acknowledge that these beliefs might evolve as you grow.
• Mindset - Embracing the Journey: As you set your boundaries and non-negotiables, expect challenges to arise. We all have a built-in forgetter that sometimes leads us astray from our intentions. Instead of seeing this as a failure, recognize it as a natural part of the process. Be gentle with yourself and learn how to manage your built-in forgetter (AKA your mindset). Forming new habits takes time and persistence, but remember why you embarked on this journey in the first place - to be present, less exhausted, and fully engaged with your life.

Striving for life-work integration is about more than just avoiding burnout and spending time with loved ones; it's also about unlocking what’s possible. When we find balance, we tap into our flow, where creativity and inspiration flourish. Balanced individuals become better thinkers and workers, enriching their personal and professional lives.

P.S. If you want to move up, out, over, or just feel better about your career, I can help you figure out what's next. Schedule a free strategy session where we will dig into your goals and what’s possible. Schedule with me? HERE

P.P.S. I am excited to tell you that I am now offering a Resume Refresh Session. Let’s elevate your resume so you can land more interviews and make a lasting impression. Learn more HERE