Redefining Work + Life

Life as we know it today, is different. So is work. And the conversations around how we manage both is louder than ever before.

Work-Life Balance.

In the 90s I started with work-life balance - only there wasn't a widely accepted name for it yet. Back then, there was actually work-study-life, the three clearly defined parts of my existence and I created clear boundaries between them. This separation allows clear demarcation of my studies, my work, and my home (and boyfriend!) life, ensuring neither encroaches too much on the other. It was simple: by compartmentalising my life, I could allocate my time and energy in a balanced manner, reducing the risk of burnout and increasing overall happiness and satisfaction.

Work-Life Integration.

When I got married and had kids, life evolved. So did work, actually. And so my approach needed to change. Thankfully, I finished my studies so there was only my professional and personal lives to manage. I no longer believed in the simplistic work-life balance model, where I had to segregate the different parts of my life into mutually exclusive parts that are on opposing ends and needed to be balanced. That's how guilt begins to form, and responsibility becomes a burden. Because I had chosen a career that I loved, I realised that both work and life are integral parts of who I am.. I wasn't going to feel otherwise about it.

I wanted to prepare home cooked meals for my sons, young and old (yes, the old boy too!). I wanted to be the one picking them up from school activities, and monitoring home work. But I also wanted to deepen my professional growth - I was opening up new horizons and it was exhilarating!

So I needed to integrate things. Work begun in the early hours at home, and it continued after I got into office. Half of my afternoons was about the boys, and dinner preparations. Work continued after dinner and some family time, until bed time. By then I was dealing with people in different time zones, so this suited me well. Work was always dynamic and I had technology that enabled work anytime and anywhere - anyone remember video conferencing and Skype?

With this flexibility, integration made it possible for me to merge responsibilities in a way that felt more natural and less forced than maintaining strict boundaries.

Work-Life Harmony.

Covid changed things. For many, work-life balance became the new mantra. But I'd be living work-life integration for at least 2 decades already. But still, covid changed things for me too. In a sense, there was less responsibilities now. The boys were grown up and didn't need the daily fetching and monitoring. Heck, some days they would be the one cooking for me! And work - we've always been about 75% digitalised, so getting the rest digitalised wasn't too far a journey. It was a little difficult giving up my office, as I had designed the space personally, and truly loved every inch of it - but truth be told we were using it at best 40% of the time, the rest of the time it was a very nice storeroom for my stuff. I converted my guest room at home to become my home office.

And so.. I evolved into a work-life harmony existence, where work and life not only coexist but enhance each other. This concept embraces the fact that fulfillment in one area can spill over and enrich the other. Achieving harmony means aligning work roles and personal goals in a way that they support and build upon each other, leading to a more fulfilling and sustainable way of living. After decades of paying lip service to it, I am finally truly learning to prioritise mental health and wellness.

My team went from work-from-home, to work-from-hometown, as they realise that with the handphone and laptop and a good internet plan, it made no difference whether they are in their hometown, or in a rented place in town near the office. For them, they are happy with work-life integration.

Implementing the Concepts.

The above is, of course, my sharing about what worked for me. It may not be so for everyone. The choice between balance, integration, and harmony should be guided by personal preference, career demands, and life circumstances. Here are a few things to consider:

1) Understand your needs - reflect on what makes you feel most fulfilled and productive. Do you prefer clear boundaries, or do you find that flexibility helps you thrive? Your preference may change depending on your current life stage or career demands.

2) Set clear priorities - whether you’re segmenting your life for balance or blending it for integration, knowing your priorities in both spheres can guide how you allocate your time and energy.

3) Communicate openly - whether with family or colleagues, open communication about your work-life strategy is crucial. This ensures that others understand your approach and can support you in maintaining it.

4) Use technology wisely - technology are tools that complements and aids your chosen approach, not the other way around. Use technology to enforce boundaries or integrate tasks in a way that aligns with your overall strategy.

5) Regularly reassess - as life changes, your preference and priorities change too, as did mine. Regularly assessing how well your current strategy is working and making adjustments as needed so that you always have what you need in the moment.

Finally..

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to managing the interplay between our personal and professional lives. By understanding the nuances of work-life balance, integration, and harmony, we can better choose and tailor approaches that enhance our productivity, well-being, and overall satisfaction with life. These concepts are not just buzzwords, but as practical strategies for how we want to live, thrive and be happy.

Can we have our cake and eat it as well? Yes.. yes I believe we can.

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