There is a lot to say about Work-Life Balance. I have been writing about it several times in the past. I even bring a Keynote to groups on how to “Coach your Boss” to find that Balance. On how to avoid work-related stress that in the end may lead to Burn-out. But the funny thing is, although I work with a lot of my Coachees to find it, in my own life it is not such a priority at all. And why not? Simply because I don’t FEEL out of Balance.
Finding YOUR right Balance
I love what I do for a living. And it is 100% my very own choice. I consider myself to be an ambitious woman. My business goal is to successfully build an international Coaching practice. And to get there, I need to invest. Putting a lot of time and effort and energy in it. And it’s not my Job. It’s my Life! So I believe finding YOUR right Balance is the most important thing. It just has not to be 50/50, because that’s what the word “Balance” refers to. It can be 75/25 or the other way around. And it is not static. The distribution of this percentage may vary over time. It is simply depending on your current personal goals, in Work ànd in Life. If my child is ill, priorities change! Problems only arise when your “sense of Balance” is lost. And when you have the feeling of no longer being in charge of how you want to combine both your Work and Life. And that’s a whole different story!
The Work/Life Mash-up
Last week, whilst visiting New York, I read an article written by Jennifer Dulski, President & COO at Change.org. She describes how we shouldn’t speak about Work-Life Balance, since it is impossible to reach, but about a Work/Life Mash-up. I knew the term Mash-up, used in music, where you combine two or more tracks into one new music track. The result is something even better than listening to both songs separately can ever bring you. So value is added when combining them. Same for Work and Life, she says. And I couldn’t agree more. But I do not want to give an unfair escape to all those working too many hours, whether it is your own choice or you are being pushed by an over-demanding boss or organization.
You can’t do a Mash-up based on one song
It isn’t Work only, and it isn’t Life only. It is the package. So in Coaching, I never work with “the Manager” or “the Executive”. I work with a human being combining Work and Life. And yes, sometimes they are struggling to unite all responsibilities Work as well as Life brings them. Or they might be feeling guilty about setting other priorities than their environment. But when that feeling of Balance is lost, there is only one person that can take matters into his or her own hands. And redo the Mash-up.
Are you happy with your Mash-up?
Feel free to comment!
Here’s the link to the original article by Jennifer Dulski: “Work-Life Balance is Bull”
Sofie Varrewaere is the founder of BigFish4.me. After studying a Master in Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, she ogled into the magical world of Recruitment, Selection and HR Services. Working for the world leader in HR, she has always been in an advisory role in relation to the larger goals of several multinational organizations. In 2013 she started her own company in International executive Coaching. Doing what she is good at, challenging others as well as herself.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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