Work-life balance is a phrase that has been thrown around for decades. It’s often used to describe the ideal way of managing both career and personal life while keeping stress and burnout at bay. Yet, in practice, it’s not an easy goal to achieve.
In today’s modern world, where technology has made it easier to stay connected and work from anywhere, the lines between work and life have blurred significantly. The pandemic has brought in a new level of complexity with remote work becoming the new norm. All of this has made us question the meaning of work-life balance and how it applies to us today.
To better understand the nuances of work-life balance in today’s world, we reached out to a few experts. Here’s what they had to say.
Alyssa Abbott, a career coach and founder of Twice Bright, says that work-life balance in today’s world is more about integration than separation. She explains, “We can no longer compartmentalize our work and personal lives as much as we did before. Instead, we need to find ways to integrate them into a cohesive whole.”
She suggests incorporating small practices into our daily routines like taking breaks to stretch, scheduling family time on your calendar, or adding in exercise or self-care time during the workday.
Jeff Phipps, Managing Director of ADP UK, adds that technology can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to work-life balance. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and disconnecting from work during personal time. “We need to ensure technology is serving its purpose of making our lives easier, not dominating it, and work should never encroach on our personal time.”
He also advises organizations to create a culture that supports work-life balance and encourages employees to have a healthy integration of personal life into working hours to reduce stress and burnout.
Shana Mallin, Founder of Blue Ocean Principles, believes that work-life balance should be approached from a holistic perspective. She suggests finding a balance between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. “When we work on our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual goals, we become more focused and productive, leading us to feel more fulfilled in both our personal and professional lives,” she says.
The concept of work-life balance is evolving. Today, it’s more about integration, setting boundaries, and approaching it from a holistic perspective. It’s about finding ways to prioritize what’s important to us, whether it’s family, personal hobbies, or career goals. By doing so, we can create a fulfilling life full of meaning, purpose, and joy.
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