WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Work-life balance is the concept of prioritizing between “work” (career and ambition) and
“lifestyle” (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation).
Whether you’re reading a newspaper article, scholarly journal or blog, it seems everyone is
talking about work-life balance. Some articles focus on “taking time for yourself” while others
talk about engaging in activities outside of your day job. Some discuss what role having family
plays in the overall balance between work and life.
Are you finding it challenging to juggle the demands of your day job and the rest of your life?
Well, in today’s world most are struggling with this concept. Some are putting in extra hours,
while others are using their mobile devices (cell phones, tablets) to connect when they are not
physically at work.
We live in a time when finding balance is all the hype. Some argue that gone are the days of
“burning the midnight oil,” so to speak. Others contend we have just found others ways to work
extra hours to get the work done. Unfortunately, few of us have found ways to get our jobs done
while also taking time for ourselves.
What have you done to reclaim time? Have you re-evaluated your work load? Can you reduce
the number of meetings you have or reduce commuting time by using technology? What do you
do when you have time off from your day job? Do you think about work, or even do work? Or is
that personal time reserved for you, to work on a special home project, get a mani/pedi, go for a
walk, or watch your favorite television show?
Here are a few strategies you can utilize that will assist you with work-life balance.
- Connect with colleagues in the workplace who are also trying to achieve similar goals.
- Bring in an expert to present on the topic.
- Share with your supervisor ideas you may have for streamlining your workload to work
- “smarter not harder”, such as flexible hours or telecommuting.
Dennis J. Perkins Jr. 