WORK LIFE BALANCE IS A MYTH

Gary GruberChange Gratitude Growth Health Life TimeWORK LIFE BALANCE IS A MYTH
June 1 , 2019 /

WORK LIFE BALANCE IS A MYTH

The second definition of myth is “a widely held but false belief or idea.”  The first definition has to do with a story that we tell to explain things we may not understand.  Regardless of definitions, here’s why I believe most of the palaver about work life balance is either a false idea or a story we tell ourselves to try and figure out an answer.

Those who complain about life being “out of balance” usually with too much work and not enough life seem to feel like they are not in control of how, where and with whom they spend their time.  This shows that what you believe controls so much of what you do, or in this case, what you don’t do.  You continue to be stuck in a situation or condition that Is either not to your liking or unhealthy or both.

So, what to do?  Drum roll, please.  Make a change!  It’s the illustration of the classic definition of insanity which is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  My roommate’s aphorism is, “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”   At first it sounds somewhat simple and yet, it is rather profound.

Life is not all about work nor should it be.  Life is living and work is part of that and when it dominates life to the extent of someone being unhappy, stressed or upset, is that not a sign that it’s time to make a change?  Yes, that’s a rhetorical question.

When we love what we do and we are doing what we love, when we are pursuing our passion with purpose, balance is of little concern.  We manage to find or take the time for activities and relationships beyond our work and life is rich, meaningful and satisfying.

We often hear “Be the change you want to see” and that applies here as well.  Design the change you want and need and do not wait until next month or next year.  There is no time like the present and no present like time.  Take advantage of that gift and “just do it.”

Comments (2)

  1. It’s interesting to read that when we’re doing what we love with passion and purpose balance is of little concern. That’s true. Those times I was in the zone, that special sweet spot, I couldn’t get enough time doing what I loved to do. However, I still needed to choose to take a break, to be with my family, my friends, to feed all parts of myself and not just that part of me that loved the work I was called to do. I think the problem with the concept of balance is we all picture scales. Reality is that work-life balance is really about choosing – Making choices to acknowledge and honor all parts of our life at different times. If our choices our out of whack, I’m with you, we need to change ’em! Each one of us gets to be responsible for the choices we make.

    Alli

    1. Yes! In the beginning, in the middle and at the end, it’s all about choices and whether or not those choices are conscious and intentional or whether they are merely expedient. We are indeed responsible for the choices we make and there are those who need to be held accountable for the choices they make. There are also those, some of the same people, who want to blame external circumstances and avoid being responsible. What I found that being in the flow, in the zone it was much easier to connect with other people in my immediate circle and have quality time with them. It doesn’t get much better than that!

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