Work-Life Balance – Balance your mind, balance your life!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of TransUnion or any other organization.

Work-Life Balance – Balance your mind, balance your life!

Work-life balance, popularized in the 1980s, is a perennial topic that continues to be top of mind for most employees and employers even today. The notion is that achieving a good work-life balance is very important but many continue to struggle with finding the right balance. In light of the dynamic and volatile times we live in, this article examines what employers should do, what employees can do, and what it really takes to achieve the perfect work-life balance.

Is work-life balance a myth or reality?

First and foremost, let’s begin with understanding work-life balance. There are many definitions out there but in its simplest form, it is about having the right balance between one’s career / work life and their personal non-work life. Some people believe that there is no such thing as work-life balance and it is all life, whereas others believe that work-life balance is real and more than just a buzzword.

The reality is that work-life balance will vary by individual because everyone has different work circumstances and different lives. The definition of balance could also shift as often as on a daily basis with the ever-changing life situations. The right balance for one today will probably be different for that individual tomorrow. For example, work-life balance when one is single compared to when one is having children or nearing retirement is bound to look different.?Consequently, work-life balance is whatever one wants it to be.

Times are changing and so is what matters to most people

People around the world were forced to work remotely during the recent pandemic. While some saw the ability to work from home as improving work-life balance; balancing family needs, work commitments and personal life became more of a challenge for others. Studies conducted by 451, an affiliate of S&P Global, have revealed that more than half of the surveyed (55 percent) found themselves to be less productive and engaged working from home. On the other hand, employers have claimed that productivity levels have been at their peak.

Additionally, in many countries like India where working from home was not common prior to the pandemic, there was a large-scale transition that took place where employees along with their families had to adjust to what everyone started calling the new normal.?

While some employees miss ‘human interaction’ and are eager to return to work, many have gotten used to this new lifestyle and are even choosing to quit their job if they are being forced to return to work. According to Gartner, over 50% of our workforce is expected to continue remote work post pandemic, and 70% expected to be remote by 2025. The workplace is shifting to a hybrid model which means the concept of a nine-to-five job is going to fade away as more and more people chose to permanently work from home.

Employers have to continue to empower their associates

To encourage healthy work-life balance, several companies have been offering flex schedules and unlimited PTO (Paid Time Off) to the vast majority of their employees. While this is a great perk and has been well received, employees are taking fewer days off than ever before. So if this is no longer the incentive, what can employers do to show their commitment to work-life balance??

Listening to the mix of employees (gaining insights from baby boomers, generation X and millennials), allowing them to figure out what balance means to them and empowering them to make the choices that work for them will go a long way towards supporting employees’ health and well-being. The bottom line here is that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that will be sustainable if employers want to combat ‘The Great Resignation’, reduce workplace stress, and retain good talent.?

Flexibility is going to be a critical part of the future of work i.e., flexibility to work wherever they want—at the office, from home, or a mix of the two, and flexibility to work whenever they want during the 24 hours / work week as long as employees get the job done and deliver results.

Employees have to take control of their lives

Unlike many things in this world that people have no control over, work-life balance is actually well within one’s sphere of control. It is not about what the job demands or how many hours one is expected to put in every week. Instead, it is about what gives one the most joy and how people define balance.?

Balance could mean working 35-40 hours a week for some people whereas it could mean a four-day work week for others. The choice is ultimately for one to make. If one is not happy or feeling balanced wherever they are today, then they have to take control of their lives and make different choices which could range from making lifestyle changes, switching jobs or even starting up a business. The key is to focus on what is it that makes one feel fulfilled every single day but also balanced at the same time.

Balance your mind, balance your life!

One can start with defining what work-life balance means to them and making the right choices that brings about that feeling of balanced. However, it is not all extrinsic and about the choices people make. Balance begins with one’s state of mind.?

Stress, worries, anxiety, and negative thoughts can disturb the mental balance so finding ways to calm the mind (contemplative practices such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, nature walks, journaling, etc.) can help one get through difficult times. If one has a balanced mind, then one will develop the mental fortitude and stamina to face whatever life has to offer and sustain whatever they have defined as balance in their lives.?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance positively affects one’s health, productivity, relationships and well-being so take control and strike a healthy balance by prioritizing all aspects of life!

About the Author

Piyush Sanghani is a servant leader / executive with 30+ years of global work experience that cuts across strategy, planning, technology, engineering, operations and almost every dimension of a business. Through the study and practice of yoga and meditation, he has found work-life balance by being a possibilitarian and living in the moment.?

He is presently employed at TransUnion and is the founding member of their “Peace of Mind” networking group whose mission is to foster a mindful, peaceful, happy and productive work environment.

A long-time mentor, executive advisor and spiritual guide, Piyush recently got certified as a Life Coach. Piyush lives in Chicago with his wife and children and can be reached at [email protected].