When it comes to work-life balance, it seems there’s nothing new to say. We all know the problem and we all struggle to find the answer. The solution doesn’t appear to be out there.
But it may be in here. Where? In here, in our heads.
Here are 4 ways to think about work-life balance that might give you a fresh perspective – and with it, a new range of options you may not have considered.
1. Your life is a pie, not a set of scales
When you think about improving work-life balance, do you consider what you can add to the Life part? Then you’re picturing your time as a set of scales.
Of course, time isn’t like that. You can’t even things out by adding to the other side.
Rather, your time – your life, in fact – is a pie. There are 168 hours in a week and how you spend them is your one and only tool for achieving work-life balance.
More life = less work. There’s no other way to slice it.
2. Don’t say No, say Yes
Do you struggle to say No to things that don’t fit with your priorities?
Then look at it this way. Instead of saying No to what you don’t want – a more stressful promotion or more demanding business life – you’re saying Yes to what you do want – family, health, or your sense of self.
Focusing on the Yes can help you feel more positive about your choice.
3. Your boss/business partner/spouse/child is not responsible for your happiness
It’s no one else’s job to give you a happy and balanced life. It’s yours.
This realisation can be liberating – you can stop waiting, hoping or manipulating for the things you want, and start proactively pursuing them.
You might be surprised how much energy, creativity and compassion this mindset shift can bring.
4. Ask for what you want – but give them want they want, too
Whether it’s fewer hours, more flexibility, babysitting duties or housework, you improve your chances of getting what you want if you give the other person what they want, too.
You probably know what the key people in your work-life tangle are looking for. Better sales conversions? Less nagging? More sex?
Everyone is looking for more happiness – find a way to get more of it for everyone.
Great pointers, Michele. I think the last one is a really useful tool, especially as it’s often win/win rather than compromise. I started looking at this a bit more creatively when I realised that I have ADD tendencies. eg, a major point of contention for us has always been the Christmas cards. My husband nags me to do them and I promise I will, but I never seemed to manage to get to the end of the list before Christmas. So I engaged his help last year, got him to plan an evening to do it with me, which helped me organise myself to set aside the time and made him a lot less stressed. We made a nice evening out of it instead of a point of contention. Win/win.
I decided 12 months ago, whilst studying and working, to drop a days work each week. Getting used to the reduction in pay was tough but I now value the extra time so much I would rather spend less, live a little more simply and keep my time than earn that extra cash. I wish I had done it years ago!
Great reminders on the concept of work-life balance 🙂
Thanks, this is something, I am also working on!
Thanks for the new fresh ideas!