Work - Life Balance

We may feel so busy that we don't have time to do things that enable us to be less busy and actually do what we want to be doing! But, working toward work-life balance is possible.

Work-life balance requires a conscious choice and a desire to create for ourselves the kind of circumstances that will get us where we want to go.

We may (or may not) know what we want in each area of life, but we should not expect the things we want to happen by accident.

Managing work and other areas of our lives, such as exercise, family, education, relaxation etc is a juggling act for many people. New technology such as cell phones and PC's make it easier for work to spill over into personal time creating potential for conflict between work and family life.

Knowing what we want is one of the first steps toward creating a work-life balance. However, what may create balance and fulfilment for one person may not for someone else.

It is important to take time to understand what is important for you in each area of your life and to design the circumstances you want to help you 'get it goin' on'.

Work-life balance is about having a sense of control over when, where, what and how your work is done so that you are better able to enjoy life.

Organisations as well are realising that they can benefit by facilitating a work-life balance in their staff. For example, benefits may include:

- Increased productivity - Workers are no longer distracted by things that have to be done at home.

- Improved recruitment and retention - by allowing staff more flexible hours and focusing on other work-life balance issues.

- Increased job satisfaction - How excited can you really get about a job you've come to resent for dominating your life?

- Lower rates of absenteeism - Some employees may use sick leave at the organisations expense to create work-life balance for themselves.

- Imbalance can also create poor health when individuals don't find time to take care of themselves.

- An improved customer experience - Burned out staff who are walking the fine line between sanity and insanity are not always pleasant to deal with.

- Employing talented people who wouldn't otherwise be able to work due to time commitments

- Becoming a world class employer - see http://www.eeotrust.org.nz/awards/index.cfm also see http://www.dol.govt.nz/futureofwork/worklife.asp

OK- But how do I actually make it happen?
It is worth thinking about work-life balance as more of a dynamic process than as an accomplishment.

Making adjustments and compensations over the long term will help to keep the whole picture balanced. When we are thrown out of balance by something out of our control we can get up again and regain the balance.

Yes, that helps - but how can I actually stop working so much? I can't have a balanced life because I have to work...
Everyone's circumstances are different, so there is no one generic answer. But remember:
- it's unlikely to happen by accident

- while we may never actually achieve a perfect work-life balance we can at least work toward improving the balance

- take the time to understand what is important for you for each area of your life

- work-life balance is about having a sense of control so that you are better able to enjoy life

- it is a dynamic, long-term process

- balancing work and life is a matter that employees and employers need to negotiate between each other

- start by making small adjustments - (you may notice big results)

If you would like more information about how to obtain a work-life balance please contact Maria Thomson maria@careeranalysts.co.nz