The Fluidity of Work Life Balance

In the Pandemic era, for most knowledge workers, the boundaries of where and when we work are becoming very fluid, and so is the definition of work-life balance. Similar to other areas in our life, balance is about finding stability and grounding. There is no perfect one-size fits all formula on how to achieve just the right mix of professional and personal life – of being ambitious and dedicated to career growth while maintaining healthy relationships and mind, body, spiritual practices. Balance is not a finish line to cross. Defining balance is highly personalized; unique for each person because we all have different needs, priorities, and values. Additionally, work-life balance may change with the cycles of life and work, and even with each day.

I see myself as a “problem Fixer” and truly believe that there are no questions that cannot be answered. Yet, I feel that when we try to define work-life balance, we need to treat balance as a fluid property. It changes with time, location, and the pressures at work and at home. So, the answer to the question: “do you have work-life balance?” is typically “It Depends.” While we can toy with the idea of having a productive day at work that would morph smoothly into an amazing after-work leisure time where all things in this imaginary scenario go well and according to schedule and plan, it might be beneficial to strive for more realistic and pragmatic expectations. After allowing ourselves the mental escape into another time, place, and briefly living in the land of “doing it all,” let’s strive for a more fluid set of rules to manage home life and work life.

Work-life balance is shaped by the interaction between two dynamic and powerful human motivations: achievement (pursuit of self-actualization) and joy (pursuit of pleasure.) Work can be a platform to apply our interests, passions, and strengths to accelerate both our professional and personal growth. I’ve spent my entire professional career searching for just the right formula to achieve optimal work-life balance. At times, I definitely fell in the workaholic range, and at others my focus was on living a more leisurely lifestyle. Coronavirus quarantining put my everyday life on pause. Once I was thrown off balance, it was difficult to see my way out of the tunnel of a life that became very limited, or so it seemed to me. I had to intentionally redefine what living my best life meant and to create space for new things to find me. Pivoting from chasing corporate contracts into making coaching accessible proved to be a life-changing experience. I now support a diverse client base, accommodating different pay rates. I coach people from different backgrounds, different sorts of industry and jobs, and at different career levels.

I am back to working long hours. Not only do I work a lot, but when I am not working, I constantly think about my work. People around me think I am a workaholic. But are you really a workaholic when you love what you do? I get so much joy through my work that despite the busy schedule I feel energized and alive. With nowhere to travel and no places to go, there are no real conflicts with this new lifestyle. I do take the time to work out, go hiking, cool off, and spend time with loved ones, but for now, work is all-consuming and joyful.

My new definition of work-life balance is: live your best life, whatever that looks like and however way you define it. Forget balance and find fluidity in becoming the person you aspire to be. Here’s how:

1. Define what really gives you joy. Reconnect with old dreams and goals. Unleash who you wanted to be before life got in the way.
2. Examine your patterns. Intentionally analyze your values and identify the behaviors that would manifest the person you are deep inside.
3. Set your goals. Start acting in alignment with your intentions to move closer to living the life you desire and be you own role model.