#OutsideWork: Ban the Phrase “Work/Life Balance”

 “There's no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences.” -Jack Welch

I object to the phrase “work/life balance”.  Work is part of our lives, is it not? By putting up a barrier to separate the two, we are supporting an inaccurate reality.  In that version of reality, work always seems to be painted in a negative light – something that takes us away from “life” rather than making it even more meaningful.  Personal fulfillment should not be absent from your career.  It is certainly not absent from mine.  From now on, let’s simply say “life balance”.  Okay…now that I’ve got that bit of clarification out of the way, here are some ways that I find my own balance. I hope that these resonate with you as well:

1. Set Your Own Definition – Your neighbor or colleague or mother may have a different idea of what balance means. What does it mean to you?  Staying late one night a week, leaving at five on the dot, or checking email after the kids go to bed? Stop competing with others – and for that matter – stop competing with yourself.  My jobs as Mother, Wife, and Regional President are all critical pieces of my identity. They all make me happy.  All are important. All bring me pride. It won’t make me better at any job if I feel guilty about the others. It all starts with understanding your values and making choices that align with these values. Decide what works for YOU, and own it.  And, these days, it’s easier to do just that.  Mobile technology gives many of us options that we didn’t have ten years ago.  Workplaces are evolving to support our changing social environment. Whatever choices you make, be proud and define your own balance.
   
2. Love What You Do – We spend more waking hours at work than we do with our loved ones.  If you’re not in love with your job…then maybe this is the year you reevaluate where you work.  In fact – love yourself enough to make the changes that need to be made in your career. You can help guide your own destiny. I love my job and feel honored to work with an amazing team.  I am legitimately excited to be here.  Can you say the same?  If not, why not?  Life is too short to not love what you do. On the flip side, find your passion outside of work as well.  For me, supporting STEM education projects that prompt positive changes in our local communities, lifting weights, playing tennis and cheering my kids on at their activities from the sidelines help feed my soul.  Find what feeds yours, both inside and outside of work.
   
3. Be Present – Wherever you go, that’s where you’ll be, right?  When you're at work, be engaged. When you’re home with your family, be fully present. Make the most of the time you have. It’s hard when you’re at the dinner table and your phone is buzzing, I know. Setting and managing boundaries is key. And, those boundaries may fluctuate. But, make them anyway. I’ll also note that technology does not have to be the enemy here. When I travel for work, wireless technology helps me be present when I physically can’t be with my family.  Fellow road warriors can no doubt relate, whether it’s a quick video call from the airport or checking the score of their child’s game on a youth sports league app, thank goodness for technology.

Author’s Note: This month’s @LinkedIn long form topic, #OutsideWork is a tricky one.  How can it not be?  This is such a deeply personal topic. We’re all different people with different jobs and different support systems at home. One size does not fit all. How do you define balance? What works for you? Please feel free to share in the Comments section below.  I look forward to hearing from you.