BALANCE

Work-life balance. What’s your definition?

Does it mean spending time equally between work and your personal life?

Does it mean not doing work when you are not on shift?

Does it mean spending time with your loved ones just as much as you spend time at work? How about time for yourself? Is it part of it?

The President/CEO of my previous company spends all his waking hours working.

One of my previous bosses works during the weekends.

A friend of mine spends most of her time with friends at work instead of her family.

And someone else, somewhere, we don’t know what he or she is spending his or her time for.

To me, work-life balance is a very misunderstood concept. It says balance which means equally distributed. Equal amount of weights. Equal amount of importance. Equal amount of attention. Equal amount of time.

Most of us thinks that there is no work-life balance because we always work, work, work. Do overtime because there are a lot of things we need to do.

Some even do weekends just to complete their tasks.

But, keep in mind, that wherever we allocate our time, whatever things we do with our time, those are the things we consider important in the present moment.

If you rather work longer hours, because that’s what you are inclined to do, go ahead.

If you rather watch Netflix, go ahead. Up to you.

If you rather go out with your friends, go ahead. Just save two bottles for me. 

There is no such thing as work-life balance. There are just priorities.

Before, when I was a customer service representative up to the time that I became RTA supervisor, I spent most of my time working and going out with friends from work. That’s what I like. That’s my priority, that time.

And in effect, I created long-lasting relationships with people. They had been my mentors and we are still in contact up to this day (that was 15 years ago!). And I have progressed very well in my career thanks to them.

But, what did I lose? The time I could have spent with my wife, and my son, and save up for our future. We went into a very dark spiral 15 years ago and I almost lost them.

Because they were not my priority.

So, think. What is your priority? I know someone from our team who has family as priority and finding the right amount of time to spend at work and at home. (Nice!)

Things you can do

• Don’t aim for balance. You’ll just get stressed out thinking you have not given enough time to different aspects of your lives.
• Set a goal. Very clear goal may it be your career, your finances, your family, up to you. What do you want to achieve?
• Identify what you need to do. Create the steps you need to do to get there. Baby steps will really go a long way.

When you identify your goal…

When you identify your goal and have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, you set a compelling direction for your life. This sense of purpose can provide motivation and guidance as you navigate through the ups and downs of your journey.

When you have identified your priorities…

After identifying your priorities, you can effectively allocate your time, energy, and resources. This deliberate focus allows you to concentrate on the aspects of your life that matter most to you, fostering a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

When you know what steps you need to take… Then, you have created a real balance in your life.

When you know what steps you need to take to move towards your aspirations, you empower yourself with the tools for achievement. Each action you take becomes purposeful and contributes to the realization of your ambitions.

Then, you have created a real balance in your life. By aligning your actions with your goals and priorities, you cultivate a harmonious equilibrium that nurtures your well-being and sustains your progress.

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Work-life balance is indeed a complex and often misunderstood concept. It’s not simply about spending an equal amount of time on work and personal life or avoiding work outside of specific hours. It encompasses a multitude of factors, including the allocation of time to loved ones, the pursuit of personal interests, and the maintenance of physical and mental well-being. It’s about identifying and prioritizing what truly matters to us at a particular phase in our lives.

It’s not uncommon for many of us to feel overwhelmed by work demands, leading to overtime and even working during weekends. In some cases, this may stem from a genuine inclination towards work, while in others, it could be driven by external pressures. Regardless of the reasons, our allocation of time and the activities we engage in reflect our present priorities. You emphasized that whatever we choose to do with our time signifies its importance at the moment, whether it’s investing extra hours at work, unwinding with a Netflix binge, or enjoying social outings.

Your personal reflection on your own journey from being a customer service representative to an RTA supervisor underscores the impact of your priorities on your relationships and career progression. You gained valuable mentorship and lasting connections through spending time with colleagues, yet it came at the expense of valuable time with your family. This introspective realization serves as a poignant reminder of the profound effects of our choices and priorities on our personal and professional spheres.

Ultimately, work-life balance should not be viewed as an elusive state of equilibrium to be achieved. Instead, it calls for introspection and deliberate prioritization. Your advice to refrain from pursuing balance in itself but rather focusing on clear goals, identifying priorities, and outlining actionable steps aligns with the notion of creating a meaningful and personalized balance in life. This approach enables individuals to channel their efforts toward what truly matters to them, be it career advancement, financial stability, family time, or personal pursuits. By aligning actions with identified priorities and goals, individuals can cultivate a sense of fulfillment and purpose, thereby nurturing a genuine balance in their lives.