Why Work Life Balance is Bulls*&%$￡

I’ve always had a bit of a problem with the term “work life balance”. It implies that work is not part of your whole life. It implies separation of work and life.

?I think that’s total rubbish. To me, the truth is, for many people, that work makes up a very large portion of one’s life and, at different times, can be the most important priority for many reasons.

?I know that it doesn’t sound “right” to say it’s the most important and, yes, I am aware that we all need to also focus on other parts of our lives as well to be healthy but, if we are honest, work can and should, at times be a top priority.

What I prefer is instead to focus on your whole life. To call it WHOLE LIFE CHOICES & PRIORITIES. This means living our whole lives with strong awareness or consciousness of all the priorities and choices we have. With the focus and consideration, and without guilt or pressure when someone tells you your priorities or choices aren’t aligned with theirs.

There will always be times and places for us as adults to make choices and to prioritise some things over others and that is perfectly acceptable.

?It doesn’t mean we are “workaholics” if we prioritise work for a certain period and place. Many leaders I work with have chunks of time needed for product releases, budget or fundraising cycles that absolutely require them to prioritise and choose work as a focus for that time.?

Other people may prioritise family for a chunk of time and that is wonderful and often necessary too. Whether that’s to focus on children, supporting ageing relatives or whomever, it will happen to most of us where that priority is necessary, and we can and should make those choices as needed.

Maybe it’s a priority to travel and pursue other interests. Go for it! I encourage us all to prioritise and choose all facets of our whole person, it’s what makes us unique.

Whatever your choice and chosen priority at any given time, it is yours and you deserve to make it.

Prioritising doesn’t mean choosing one thing and neglecting everything else, it’s about the time, energy and focus needed while also ensuring that your other parts of your life get the appropriate attention and care. It requires planning, consideration, and communication. You can’t and shouldn’t be expected to always make everything a #1 priority, it’s not feasible but we all try to do it.

?What you can and should be able to do is be clear to yourself and others what your current priority or priorities is/are. You don’t even need to explain why since if you know and understand the why yourself, that’s what counts.

?Here is an example from my life. Last week I had the opportunity to make some choices. These choices brought two priorities of my world together, two of my main priorities.

?One priority was the amazing work I do. Working with teams to level up and be the best versions of themselves.

Another top priority of mine is my family.?I have a 17-year-old daughter who is one year away from leaving the house to go off on her own adventures. She’s an academically minded girl who wants to do cool things in engineering and EPFL in Lausanne is on her list of universities to apply to

?So, when I knew that I was going to be working with my clients in Lavaux, Switzerland, near Lausanne, it made sense for her to come along. A great way to choose two of my priorities.

?It worked well.?I did my thing with my clients while she got some quiet rest time and revision time for university entrance exams and did some advance work for her A-level. She also explored, was inspired by the vistas, and even enjoyed some Swiss treats that she normally only gets when I bring them back from my travels. We didn’t see each other much and she was clear it wasn’t a family holiday but at the end of two beautiful days with my work, she and I went to the city of Lausanne.?We visited the Olympic Museum (we are huge sports fans), walked a lot, had delicious food and, yes, then explored the university. We spent precious time chatting, laughing, and yes, even bickering.

?We’ve got a very busy year head with her sitting her A-levels, playing on two high level football teams, and reaching out for her own dreams while I have other priorities with my work, the other parts of our family, my volunteer work and continuing to pursue my own dreams too.

?It was a great way to honour two priorities in my life (three if you count travel etc.) and my invitation to all is to throw away the idea of work-life balance and try to incorporate the idea of WHOLE LIFE CHOICES & PRIORITIES.

?It is and will continue to be hard to not feel guilty at times and/or challenged by other people’s opinions or views on the choices you’ll make but give it a go!?

?You won’t get it right all the time, I know I don’t, but consider it part of the adventure and the exploration of your whole self.

?What are you prioritising?