Work-Life Balance - Is there really such a thing?

‘There is no such thing as work-life-balance, it’s all life. The balance has to be within you.’ - Sadghuru - Indian Yogi and Author

Never a truer statement, and one that resonates well with me. 

But how do you then go about achieving Life Balance? I’d like to share my experiences and some tips with you on what works for me, and maybe it will work for you too. 

1. Build in time to do the things that nourish you

We are not parts but a sum of all parts and because of this we need to look at ourselves from a holistic perspective. What are you doing on a daily basis to nourish your:

Body - Physical exercise, meditation, nutrition 

Mind - Reading, social media, news, social circles

Soul/Spirit - Practicing gratitude, mentoring, charitable giving

It’s important to take note of what a typical day looks like for you, write it down and once you have that, review it and find where you find gaps and where you need to improve. 

2. Create routine and structure

It sounds cumbersome, but creating a daily plan of action or better yet weekly keeps you honest and accountable to creating your life balance. At the end of the day or first thing in the morning, write down what it is that you need to do and by when.

I personally keep a large diary and at the end of each day, I review it, carry over what needs to be actioned and add on for the next day. Run your life as you would run your business diary or project plan. Include training, family time, social interactions and whatever else makes up your typical day. If it’s not on it, you either need to add it or you won’t do it. 

“Failing to plan is planning to fail” - Alan Lakein - American Author

3. Find a career that your passionate about

“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” - Mark Anthony - Roman Politician and General

If this is true then all the greats never had to work. Well that’s not what’s meant by the quote. What it means is that doing something you're passionate about makes all the difference when challenges come your way or it just feels too much. 

The passion is what drives you to keep moving forward and this needs to tie in with why you do what you do. Your passion is a direct output of your purpose and you need to find out what it is and live it. If that means working in the trenches in order to pay your ‘school fees’, and land that senior role then so be it. Working in a job you hate for the short-term is not a wasted effort if it gets you to where you need to go in the long-term. Focus on your end goal and change your plan if need be but never change the goal.

4. Make time for you and the ones dear to you

Yes, even if that means adding me time, family time and social time to your calendar, so be it. You’re not weird for doing it, it keeps you in check and those around you feeling appreciated. At the end of the day we are not our job or material belongings, we are the impact that we make of people’s lives and you want those memories to be of value. 

"Spend time with those you love. One of these days you will say either, 'I wish I had.' or 'I'm glad I did.'" - Zig Ziglar - American Authors and Motivational Speaker

5. Set boundaries and don’t fear shutting off

With the rapid rise in remote working, flexible workspaces and of course the current global pandemic, it’s changed the way we do business and life. 

Setting boundaries is critical to your well being and that of those around you. If you’re always on it’s easy to find yourself responding to work related calls well into the night, when that time is better spent on yourself or your family, to avoid burnout and possible resentment. 

Put an out of office in place or an automated email that clearly lets others know that you’re unavailable in the evenings and especially when on holiday. Having this in place sets the expectations for others to treat you and your time with respect. You need this time to recharge and process the day’s events, allowing you to have a clear and fresh mind. 

In closing, just remember that there is not perfect balance and there will always be new challenges. Applying some simple tips will arm you with the tools and support you need to face these. 

"Work-life balance will mean different things to different people because, after all, we all have different life commitments," said Chancey. "In our always-on world, balance is a very personal thing, and only you can decide the lifestyle that suits you best." - Chris Chancey - Faith Driver Entrepreneur

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