Work-Life Balance Defined

Despite the worldwide quest for Work-Life Balance, very few have found an acceptable definition of the concept. Here’s a proven definition that will positively impact your everyday value and balance, starting today.

Work-Life Balance does not mean an equal balance. Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time. The right balance for you when you are single will be different when you marry, or if you have children; when you start a new career versus when you are nearing retirement. However, at the core of an effective work-life balance definition are two key everyday concepts that are relevant to each of us. They are daily Achievement and daily Enjoyment, ideas almost deceptive in their simplicity.  Most of us already have a good grasp on the meaning of Achievement. But let’s explore the concept of Enjoyment a little more. As part of a relevant Work-Life Balance definition, enjoyment does not just mean Happiness. It means Pride, Satisfaction, Celebration, Love, a sense of Well-Being – all the joys of living.

You cannot get the full value from life without BOTH Achievement and Enjoyment. Focusing on Achievement and Enjoyment every day in life helps you avoid the “As Soon As” trap, the life-dulling habit of planning on getting around to the joys of life and accomplishment “as soon as …”

Life will deliver the value and balance we desire when we are achieving and enjoying something every single day in all the important areas that make up our lives. As a result, a good working definition of Work-Life Balance is: Meaningful daily Achievement and Enjoyment in each of the four life quadrants: Work, Family, Friends and Self.

When was the last time you Achieved and Enjoyed something at work? What about Achieved and Enjoyed with your family, your friends? And how recently have you Achieved and Enjoyed something just for you?

Why not take 20 minutes today and do something just for yourself? And when you get home, before you walk in the door, think about whether you want to focus on achieving or enjoying at home tonight. Then act accordingly when you do walk in the door.

At work you can create your own best Work-Life Balance by making sure you not only Achieve, but also reflect the joy of the job, and the joy of life, every day. If nobody pats you on the back today, pat yourself on the back, and help others to do the same. When you are a person that not only gets things done, but also enjoys the doing, it attracts people to you and they want to be on your team.

Are you truly achieving Work-Life Balance?

Adapted from an article by Jim Bird, Publisher, WorkLifeBalance.com