I just Googled Work Life Balance and it populated almost 2 BILLION results in 0.68 seconds!
People are in constant pursuit of work life balance.
Why is it that some people seem to be able to manage it all? They have a great career, spend lots of time vacationing with their family, seem to be in great physical condition, have strong long lasting relationships? We all know them. What’s their secret?
I can assure you it’s not work life balance.
In order for this perfect work life balance to exist it would mean that work was equal to (balanced with) life. It would resemble that of the “just scales” with work having the same amount of “weight” as your life.
The truth is they will never balance. Work-Life balance does not and will not ever exist. Stay with me. What I’m about to tell you may change your life!
Why? Your work is a part of your life. It could never be equal to your life. Our lives consist of a many components.
- Marriage
- Family
- Aging Parents
- Children
- Friends
- Friends / Family Illness
- Community
- Continuing Education
- Household
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Spiritual Practice
- Vacation
- Sleep
When you think of all the facets of “life” the thought of work being equal to that of life is ludicrous.
No wonder we feel overwhelmed and constantly off balance!
Yet, day in and day out we search for work-life balance. So back to one of my original questions. What’s their secret? It’s a very simple one.
It’s work-life integration. While it’s simple most people will never achieve it. Why? Because you must change your mindset. You must let go of the old “when I’m at work I’m only doing work, and the same goes for my employees!”
If you truly want to have a life filled with doing the things you enjoy most you must integrate your work into your life and if you want to attract and retain top talent you must create a culture of work life integration.
Let go of the 9-5 philosophy! Who said we must work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day? More and more people are demanding and searching for work that provides a quality of life, not just a paycheck.
According to Gallup’s most recent State of the American Workforce, 51% of Americans are looking for a new job. They aren’t looking for more money. (Contrary to what you may think.) They’re looking for the opportunity to do what they do best. (Which actually outranked pay by four times!) Give your employees the opportunity to do what they do best and integrate their life and work and stop the maddening search for work life balance.
Become the employer that promotes integrating life into work, the employer that
- encourages it’s team members to call during “work” hours to make appointments for their children
- encourages taking time each day for physical fitness
- encourages family first
- encourages continuing education
- offers to pay for and time off for counseling or coaching
- allows team members to be on social media during work hours
- PAUSE! On social media? Read Let Them Socialize to find out more.
- Encourages taking days off to rest and rejuvenate
Create a culture of work life integration:
- Reduce absenteeism
- Increase productivity
- Increase team morale
- Increase employee retention