Work-life balance is commonly defined as the prioritization of your work life and your personal life. I’ve read many articles addressing work-life balance that suggest it’s a concept of time management and resource management.
My definition of work-life balance is living my best possible life! At certain times in my life I may be more focused on activity and progress, other times may be focused on rest and renewal. Action and pause are both necessary for a fulfilling and joyful life, and to enjoy the life I want I need to have both.
Think about what you really want when you say you want work-life balance. What does it mean to you?
I encourage you to make the most of your work life and your personal life, joyfully experiencing the best of your whole life. Set aside the mindset that you must drudge through the bad to get to the good. Make it all good!
Here are 3 common misconceptions about work-life balance to reconsider:
1. Work-life balance is not a result of time management.
Work-life balance is not about finding more time to fit more into your day. If you’re spending all your time managing your time, you’re focusing in the wrong place. You’ll experience a happier and more fulfilling life by focusing your values, not your time.
Spend as much of your life as possible on what is important to you. It may be personal growth, professional development, health, family, business- think about what matters to you and focus your energy there.
2. Work-life balance is not affected by the quantity of hours, but the quality of hours you spend loving what you do.
There’s no magic number of hours that guarantees you’ll live a great life that you love. You may work 20 hours a week and feel dissatisfied with your life, and you may work 60 hours a week and love your life! Work-life balance is not a calculation, it’s a mindset and daily practice of healthy and happy living.
You may not always have the opportunity to do what you love, but you can love what you do. Practice making the most of the life you have!
3. Work-life balance is not a prize at the end of the race.
So often we think we must work hard before we can enjoy any benefit in life. Hard work can pay off but you don’t need to work hard to enjoy and value your life. Don’t give up your happiness today for a reward you think you’ll get in the future.
You can have work-life balance, right now, if you so choose. It’s as simple as taking care of your basic needs and responsibilities. What do you need to do today? Scratch that- what do you truly need to do today? Take care of you, take care of what’s important, and honor your goals and values.
Here are some simple ideas I use to support a healthy, happy and balanced life:
How important is it?
Do the next right thing.
Keep it simple.
I love your comments! What does work-life balance mean to you? Do you have work-life balance in your life?
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