Work-life balance people is a fraud
Melissa Hopkins
Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Customer Officer, Chief Change Agent, Chief Optimist and Non Executive Director
So throughout my working career I have fought and at times rather aggressively with finding the perfect work-life balance. It became even more of a battle after having my daughter 7 years ago and then moving further up the ranks in a high powered career.
I read books, spoke to mentors, poured over articles, changed my working and home practices. But the fact remained, it still really never seemed balanced. Where was the equilibrium the phrase promised. How on earth do I reach the 'zen' ?
But then I had an epiphany. I had being well and truly taken for ride, spent hours and years trying to achieve something that is quite frankly not possible. Work-life balance ladies and gentleman is a complete fraud !
Let's face it the name itself makes that clear. Balance is a state of equilibrium and equal distribution. Achieving real balance means splitting yourself in two. The reality is that in todays 24/7 always in contact world this is not possible. When that equal distribution is not achieved guilt starts to kick in - and we all know how destructive that little bad boy is. Work-life balance is thrown around as a goal, as an aim, as a guide ...... but please tell me who has managed to reach the hefty heights and get there.... actually stuck there....for a prolonged period.
So I changed my track and now I am all about work-life harmony. Yes, harmony. Harmony is all about blending existing elements together. It is about being really authentic and honest about the situation. There is no mathematical equation, it simply is about what works .... for me. So I now combine my work and family diaries (yep my colleagues need to know I have to go early to a school play) and I have been known to read and respond to a few emails while sitting with my daughter while she has a bath. And this works...because it works for me. And I don't feel guilty.
Of course I still savour family only time and switch off my devices and I remain very focused to my career and tasks at hand. But by giving myself the freedom, unlocking the shackles of guilt and realising that harmony and a little blending works, I feel a little closer to reaching my zen and dare I say it ..... the perfect work-life balance
Melissa Hopkins is Founder/Director of Brand Collective. A strategic consultancy that specialises in brand and marketing transformation, employer branding and training and mentoring for start ups and businesses going through transitions.
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Assoc. Dir, Data Science
5 年Great article Mel. Thanks really helpful to "reset the mindset"
People person... always happy to help ??????
10 年Work life balance? 5 days working 2 days off… nah, never going to 'balance'. 2 days working 5 days off… sounds good to me… 'balanced' as you like.
Head of FS CRM Europe @Accenture | Teamwork | Client Value
10 年this is a good, honest and realistic read. 16 years down the full time working mother road I am glad to say that that harmony almost always worked for me.
MCIM ??Marketing Manager 4PS UK ??MHFAider???B2B Software/Tech/SaaS?? Construction since 1996
10 年I operate in a similar way however it's frustrating that so many employers still don't see the benefit of being flexible with their employees. Flexibility from a supportive and understanding employer can really make the difference to the whole "work life balance" concept. Yes, I might want to have an hour off to attend a school assembly but in turn I'll also be paying attention to work, replying to my emails or updating company social networks in my own personal time, evenings and weekends. The two can work in harmony together.
EVP, Consumer Business Unit at DOCOMO PACIFIC
10 年Wow, what an awesome read. I can completely relate! Thanks Mel!