Work Life Balance and a Happiness Hack

Just graduated? New to the workforce? Moving from college life—where your biggest decision might have been whether to have ramen or Insomnia Cookies at midnight—to full-time work can feel overwhelming. And that’s understandable.  The once-flexible schedule, late-night hangouts, and afternoons free to nap are suddenly replaced by deadlines, early alarms, and trying to figure out what “business casual” actually means.

It’s easy to find yourself doomscrolling on TikTok for happiness hacks or some work/life balance advice....

But what if you shifted your mindset around how you think about work? Instead of seeing it as something to suffer through, imagine it as somewhere your innate strengths and interests can lead to real fulfillment. It can be an exciting opportunity to explore.

Done well work isn’t supposed to be a soul-sucking experience. It can be a source of energy—a legit part of the life we want. If we stop pitting “work” against “life” in a battle for balance and, instead, aim for work that genuinely matches who we are, we come out winners. That way, work doesn’t have to be “balanced,” it’s part of what makes us thrive. Aim for a career where Monday morning feels more like a welcome challenge than a dreaded chore.

Marcus Buckingham, an expert in leadership, puts it perfectly: “If you’re doing work you love, work need not be a stressor but can instead be a source of energy and resilience.” Work doesn’t have to leave you drained. It should, ideally, fuel your fire.

Of course, let’s be honest: not every aspect of your day to day will always feel like a dream. There’s repetition, strain, and just plain old pushing through, just like at the gym. But the Mayo Clinic has some encouraging news: you don’t need to be over the moon 100% of the time. If just 20% of your work involves tasks you truly enjoy, it can be enough to make the whole experience rewarding. Even a little happiness goes a long way.

Feeling clueless about what lights you up? You’re not alone. Tons of recent grads don’t have a clear idea of their strengths or passions. As a career coach, I hear this all the time: “I have no clue what I’m even good at, let alone what work would excite me.” That’s okay—it’s a journey. One way to jump start your search is through Clifton Strengths, a tool that breaks down what you naturally excel at. It’s so effective, even big-league companies like Southwest Airlines swear by it to keep their teams engaged and purposeful. Another go to for exploration is the book Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans which show us how design thinking can help us create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. Their exercises are creative and fun!

Shouldn’t you be passionate about what you do? Here’s my take: statistically speaking ,passion doesn’t just appear, it’s something you cultivate.   It’s a combo of leaning into your strengths, sharpening your skills, and putting in the work— as the writer Malcom Gladwell refers to the 10,000 hours. My formula? Strengths + Skills x 10,000 hours = Professional Passion. The first step? Focus on what you’re already good at.

This approach helps unlock that winning 20% of bliss and also arms you to tackle high-pressure situations. As Forbes’ Luciana Paulise says, using your strengths leads to a state of “flow” where everything feels smoother, and stress is easier to manage.

Yes, stress IS part of the package, and yes, burnout is real. The temptation to overwork is strong, especially in high-stakes fields. I know this firsthand—I spent 25 years in a high-pressure world of media sales. My saving grace? Leaning on strengths like empathy and connection to others and surety that my work was focused on my value of economic security- a key motivator for me then to find that 20% of joy. Still, “Monday Dread” was sometimes inevitable.

Setting boundaries can be a lifesaver. Thinking about where you can set limits that don’t tank your performance is key. What’s truly important versus busywork. In even the most demanding fields, small shifts can create a big impact on your overall well-being.

So, let’s re-imagine “work-life balance” as a continuum. Just like you transition easily from hanging out with friends to hitting the gym or cooking dinner, aim for a career where Monday morning feels more like a welcome challenge than a dreaded chore.

Make work a part of a fulfilling life, not something standing in its way!