I hear a lot of time “I am not able to balance my life with work”. Organizations on one hand try to give “sufficient” work to keep employee happy and satisfied and optimize their business priorities. On other hand, ask employee if their work and life is balanced? That’s a stupid question to ask. And there are “intellectual” employees who ponder on this question and answer NO. Some have already devised their way to answer this as YES. Don’t wonder as I call this question stupid. Let’s look into the question in detail: Is your work-life balanced? OR Are you able to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Note: I suggest sitting with pen and paper or “notepad” so that you can work along.
Work: According to dictionary, work means “Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something”. For employees, it’s the job. For IT employees, it’s mostly the “mental effort”. Yes, brain does gets tired and so is body. So, both require rest.
Life: Life has many different versions in dictionary. Primarily, it is something to do with Human existence. In this context, “work” becomes a part of “life”. However, in the context of this topic, we can say life as “The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence”. Even in this context, “work” remains a part of “life”. Though, we can have experiences apart from “work”.
Balance: “A state of equilibrium”.
Now let’s drill deeper. To achieve equilibrium, you need to have two “weights” to be “balanced” on the fulcrum. One is what we know – work. Other is something else (= life – work). Mind you that both are “weights” – how heavy? You need to choose. So, first question to ask you is:
How heavy (or light) is your work?
You should know that you chose your “work” by going into various institutes, getting various degrees, got through the interview and finally got into the group you are working. Don’t deny that it was not your choice. You always had the choice to “choose” your institute (else you could have run away). You always had the choice to “choose” the company you want to join (else why did you applied in first place). It may seem that you got into the particular “group” with lottery/luck/fate, but it was still your choice (you always have a choice to quit). If you are one who is happy about all these choices, then you can quit reading this article. I declare that your life is balanced. Be happy. If you are on the other side, even a bit, then you are on the wrong job. Why do I say so? Simple, because you are not happy. And, you will be happy only if you find a job of your choice. You are stuck between many “weights”. Let me list some of them for you: salary package, luxury, prestige, value in society, race for position or profile. You may say that these things do matter and provide happiness. Yes, they do but they are transient – provide short-lived happiness just like alcohol. Ask a question: why you are in this job? Or why you want to do this job? Stop. Answer these questions and then only move to next paragraph…
The truthful answer is what you don’t like to tell to yourselves and definitely never to your Boss. If you really got this answer, accept it. There is nothing wrong or right about it. This is why you are doing your job. Most of us know this but pretend to ignore it. Wasn’t it the real reason for your initial choices? Accepting the facts do takes away lot of weights. You can now just work for your choices and ignore other carrots. Focus on your choices will help you enjoy your current job. It provides you the view to look at your “work”.
Many of you are still finding this as very abstract. Why? Because you are trying to find logic here (expected from a logical person). You have choice to either drop reading this or restart again and get all questions answered.
Now let’s look at “else” part of your life. You complain to not find enough time to do other things in your life. First get clarity on what are those other things for you “wish” in your life? Make a note of all those things and then proceed… You may list one of the following: hobby, music, invention, arts, drama, photography, trekking, cycling and sports. This list is not exhaustive but may provide pointers to you. If you are still unsure then ask another question: If you were given 2 “free” hours on a daily basis, what all you would like to do? The answer may open up another question for you: How about this becoming a full-time job for me? Or Is this I would like to in my life, 24x7? The practical mind may immediately remind you that it’s not possible and it is too late for this now… however, it is the truth.
The answer in the above paragraph will help you find “weights” on the other side of fulcrum. The more you are able to act on your answer, the lighter you are. You need to strike a right “balance” on the weights you attach on both sides of the fulcrum. There is no formula to determine that. But you can apply this simple formula to see where it fits:
Left weights (wants): Money, status, luxury, , ,
Right weights (choices): freedom, creativity, fun, enjoyment, , ,
We started with the work-life balance and now we see that there is something else on two sides of a fulcrum to balance. Note that both these things comprise of life. Happiness in life is found when both the weights are balanced. Best balance is to find a job which provides you both. Next best balance is to find out “un-wanted weights” and work towards reducing them. Remember, only YOU have the ability and power to find your balance. Apply your courage to overcome your fear of going into unchartered waters. Dwell in the question: Will this lead me to find my balance?
