Is there something called "work life balance"?
Work life balance, work life integration......how to maintain sanity?
For years we have only been working in various sectors doing what we like, or don’t like, for a living, etc. When it is related to say areas like manufacturing, let’s say one is working on an assembly line configured to work for certain hours, the definition of work is somewhat clear. In the same industry, there could be other areas that may involve working outside of the boundaries of work hours, or their work hours are configured differently.
Why are we hearing this phrase “work-life balance” more in today’s context? I was curious to find out when this all came into existence and why people are trying to balance 2 things that are important in their lives.
The actual term “work-life balance” first appeared in the U.K. in the 80’s as a plank in the Women’s Liberation Movement. The movement advocated for flexible schedules and maternity leave for women. It was an outcome of the stressed baby boomers who strove to achieve a balance between career, family, and other areas of their lives.
Who proposed work-life balance? Many people give credit to Robert Owen, a Welsh manufacturer and the “father of British Socialism” who decided that labor practices in the early 1800s were too demanding, and so started advocating for a balanced workday of “8 hours of labor, 8 hours of recreation and 8 hours of rest”. After all, it has to start somewhere right?
Does “work-life balance” apply today or how is it being looked into?
The problem with the idea of balance is not only that it is outdated, but it is rigid and uncompromising. Your life is divided into 2 strictly defined parts, with no wiggle room between them. I do not like to take this idea and apply in today’s context where there are several parts to one’s life with flexibility from all sides.
A shift in the terminology used to denote “work-life balance”
I see terms like “work-life integration”, “work-life harmony” and others being used to emphasize the fact that one needs to take care of various aspects of life to not only stay sane but enjoy all the things they do in their life.
Why is “work-life balance” still in vogue?
If all these alternate and evolved terms are in practice, why do we see work-life balance used in our lives to date? It is like many other things that are known by various terms, and all of them are not right or wrong but appeal to people in different ways.
Now that we know how this phrase started and is being used to date, let’s see what it means, who the players are & what they could do to develop harmony.
In layman’s terms, let’s say work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between the time and energy you dedicate to work and your personal life. This is an easier definition as it can be quantified, without bringing in elements like emotion, satisfaction, etc. It is about achieving harmony where neither work nor personal obligations dominate your life excessively, ensuring overall well-being and satisfaction.
Key Elements of Work-Life Balance:
Time Management: Allocating sufficient time for both professional tasks and personal activities like family, hobbies, and rest.
Setting Boundaries: Keeping work and personal life separate, such as not working during personal time or vice versa.
Prioritization: Identifying and focusing on what's most important in both spheres of life.
Flexibility: Adjusting schedules as needed to accommodate life's demands.
Well-being: Ensuring that neither work stress nor personal issues adversely impact your mental, emotional, or physical health.
Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance:
Set Clear Goals: Define professional and personal priorities.
Learn to Say No: Avoid overcommitting yourself.
Leverage Technology: Use tools to organize tasks but avoid being constantly connected to work.
Take Breaks: Rest regularly to recharge and maintain productivity.
Communicate Needs: Discuss work-life balance with employers, colleagues, and family.
Focus on Quality: Spend meaningful time in both areas rather than just clocking hours.
Maintaining work-life balance is essential for long-term happiness, productivity, and health. It looks different for everyone, as it depends on individual values, responsibilities, and goals.
The above points kind of summarize how to understand the elements of work-life balance and some tips to achieve them. Again it is very different for different individuals and cannot be applied “as is” as several things are not the same between individuals - nature of work, the industry they are in, what the work expects, what the individual’s passion areas, what makes the individual happy, etc.
Now here comes the controversial part of “work-life balance” - Who defines the work-life balance and takes it forward?
Here is my opinion which may be different than the general norm that is out there. I believe firmly that the individual has a major role to play in defining what is work-life balance and taking it forward to their workplace (working for a company, working for themselves, combinations). We all would like to have the workplace define the flexibility that can be built into work-life balance and give it to us as a perk.
Let’s look at some points before we dive into the details of how an individual can define work-life balance:
After all, what does the company/organization care about? It wants to get the best out of individuals in terms of work, which makes the company profitable (literally)
Based on experience, the company defines policies to say how the “work-life balance” needs to be practiced by the employees.
In today’s hybrid work environment, companies have adjusted their work-life balance policies.
Isn’t it the individual who should take a proactive role in defining the kind of balance expected and discuss it with the manager? There could be an overall framework that a corporation designs and updates with time and the individual’s inputs are critical
Here’s how the individuals can contribute to their well-being and maintain balance:
1. Self-Awareness
Understand Your Needs: Recognize your physical, emotional, and mental limits. Know what activities rejuvenate you and what drains your energy.
Set Personal Priorities: Determine what matters most—family, health, hobbies, career—and ensure time is allocated accordingly.
Identify Stressors: Pay attention to what causes stress or imbalance and find ways to address them.
2. Time Management
Plan and Schedule: Use tools like planners or apps to structure your day effectively, balancing work tasks with personal time.
Avoid Procrastination: Stay organized to avoid last-minute stress that eats into personal time.
Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks during work to recharge mentally and physically.
3. Setting Boundaries
Learn to Say No: Avoid taking on unnecessary responsibilities at work or in your personal life that can lead to burnout.
Separate Work and Personal Life: Define clear boundaries, such as not checking work emails during family time.
Communicate Clearly: Inform colleagues and family about your boundaries to avoid misunderstandings.
4. Health and Well-Being
Prioritize Self-Care: Invest in activities that promote physical health (exercise, nutrition) and mental health (meditation, hobbies).
Get Adequate Rest: Ensure enough sleep and relaxation to keep stress in check.
Seek Help When Needed: Reach out to professionals, friends, or family when feeling overwhelmed.
5. Mindset and Attitude
Adopt a Growth Mindset: Accept that maintaining balance is an ongoing process, and occasional imbalance is okay.
Practice Gratitude: Focus on what you have rather than what's missing.
Embrace Flexibility: Be adaptable and adjust your approach as circumstances change.
6. Engage with Relationships
Foster Meaningful Connections: Spend quality time with family and friends to nurture relationships.
Communicate Openly: Share challenges and achievements with loved ones to build mutual understanding.
7. Continuous Reflection and Adjustment
Review Regularly: Periodically evaluate your balance and make necessary adjustments.
Celebrate Success: Acknowledge achievements in maintaining balance, and reinforcing positive habits.
By taking ownership of their choices, setting realistic expectations, and practicing mindfulness, individuals can sustain a work-life balance that contributes to the overall sanity and fulfillment of life.
How does this approach sound? Stay tuned. I will (may be) update this article to add more to the end or make another episode out of the additional information