Work - Life "Balance"

One of the most overused terms these days.

What does "work-life balance" really mean? How many articles have you read about this term, and have you succeeded in achieving it? How many times have you tried to juggle between your work and life? Some days make you feel like you have everything together, while others leave you feeling like a failure, whether as a professional or a parent.

Guess what? We've all been there and done that. I've decided to share some insights into the definition of work-life balance based on what I've learned over the years, along with my struggle to keep both aspects balanced for myself and those around me. These insights reflect my own experiences; your perspective and lessons from life may differ, and that's perfectly okay!

Here we go.

First things first, work-life balance does not mean equal balance. Attempting to allocate an equal number of hours to work and personal activities is often unrewarding and unrealistic. Life requires more flexibility than that. In reality, our workdays vary — some days it might be 5 hours, others 10 or even 12. Don't be discouraged if your day feels unbalanced; we're human, not robots. The best work-life balance looks different for each of us because we all have unique priorities and lifestyles.

My father used to work over 12 hours a day, often leaving home early and returning after 8 PM, if not traveling. A friend of mine spends 2.5 hours commuting each way to work, totaling almost 5 hours daily. I juggled two jobs while pursuing a full-time university degree for over four years, then continued with two jobs while raising my boys. I've truly struggled to achieve work-life balance. During those years, vacations were rare, and time with my kids or even simple pleasures like going to the movies were luxuries.

"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." — Dolly Parton.

Yes, I was so focused on making a living that I forgot to have a life. Then, I began to change my approach to work: learning to work faster, accepting challenging tasks and deadlines to see how far I could push myself. I experimented with different time management techniques and, most importantly, learned to multitask and manage everything on my plate.

In my line of work, which involves continuous projects, events, and diverse clients, things rarely adhere to a standard 8-hour cycle. Some people liken event managers to bats (not as cool as Batman) because we're often awake at odd hours, akin to vampires. Despite the irregular hours, it's a tremendously fulfilling life!

Here are some tips:

1. Perfection is a myth: Let go of perfectionism to avoid burning out. Focus on doing one or two things excellently at a time, then move on. Prolonged focus on one task prevents progress on others.
2. Prioritize effectively: Everything seems important, but distinguishing urgent from non-urgent tasks is crucial. Address urgent matters first; then tackle the rest. Over time, your brain will instinctively categorize tasks by priority.
3. Eisenhower Matrix: "I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent." This quote inspired the Eisenhower Matrix, a tool for organizing tasks by urgency and importance to enhance productivity.
4. Unplug and Rest: Constant phone checking and communication hinder rest. Disconnect from social media, charge your phone, and recharge yourself through rest and adequate sleep.
5. Exercise: Prioritize physical activity for your well-being. If you spend an hour on social media, allocate the same for exercise. Choose activities like Zumba or kickboxing for variety and enjoyment.
6. Find joy in your work: Loving your work makes long hours and commutes worthwhile. If your job lacks enjoyment, seek ways to make it fulfilling through meaningful connections and accomplishments.
7. Define happiness: Beyond earning a living, consider what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Happiness stems from meaningful experiences, relationships, and personal well-being, not material possessions.
8. Celebrate victories: Acknowledge small achievements and use them to pursue activities you love, whether traveling, redecorating, or exploring new hobbies. These moments counterbalance the challenges of daily life and inspire continued effort.

Ultimately, committing to a healthy work-life balance ensures sustainable success and avoids burnout. As we strive for happiness and health, let's aim to look back on our lives with pride in our achievements, rather than regret over missed opportunities. In the end, it's about living a fulfilling life.

Thank you for reading. What's your version of work-life balance?