April 4, 2008
Posted by Ryan Graves
Work – Life Balance
Aren’t you getting tired of hearing people talk about the Work – Life balance? I am, and it’s mostly because I don’t understand the concept. It’s not that I work 80 hours a week, or than I don’t have a social life, because I do, I have a great one. The confusion is derived from my confusion around what we are balancing. Things need balancing when they are opposites right? Black and white have grey; good and evil have, well, humans. But why do work and life need balancing? If your work and you’re life are such polar opposites you are definitely in the wrong line of work. If you hate your job so much that you don’t consider it part of your life then we have issues.
People wonder why they’re not performing well at work, Peter Berner, author of Career Moments would tell you, “You’re in the wrong job!” Somebody can do a job without actually doing anything, but nobody can do work without doing anything. If you find a career or work that you enjoy it can become your life and that is OK! Believe it or not you don’t actually have to hate your job.
So, forget trying to balance your work and your life. Let your work become a part of your life and something you enjoy. Enjoy your life. I guarantee that when you find work that becomes your life and that is enjoyable the rewards will be exponential. The largest of those rewards may even be financial rewards which can also improve other aspects of your life. All of a sudden when you begin to enjoy your work the need to balance is gone.
post from Ryan’s Blog.
Life balance means not letting one aspect of your life take over another! I've heard some say that if you are having problems at work, it is great to have a wonderful life at home to escape to. It balances your emotions if you are "fed up" at work but can relax at home or discuss work issues with an objective person. If you are having "issues" at home, it helps to go to work and feel a sense of accomplishment or achievement. Perhaps this goes against the grain of a guy who "compartmentalizes!"
If you are off balance - allowing work to take over your life so you have no other emotional, spiritual, or physical outlets - you will soon suffer.
Perfection is feeling totally content at home and at work. Balance can also include your hobbies, friends, volunteer work, church, etc. How great when all align to make you a well-balanced person. It's a great goal to be life balanced!
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