#61 - Work-Life Balance or Life-Work Balance?
As technology continues to blur the lines between personal and professional spheres, it becomes increasingly challenging to achieve balance in our lives.
Welcome to issue #61 of 5 Minute Friday! Get quick tips and insights for your professional & personal growth each week!
Let's start "GROWING" through our human journey instead of just "GOING" through it!
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” ― Dolly Parton
This week’s topics:
5 Question Friday w/ Megan Justice 📺 (weekly video segment)
Work-Life Balance or Life-Work Balance?
5 Question Friday (Video Segment)
Guest: Megan Justice (LinkedIn)
In this week’s episode I had the privilege of chatting with Megan Justice, an EA from Oregon. She shares with us tips on conflict management, personal growth, and the nuances of developing tailored software. From time-blocking strategies to the essence of embracing mistakes, this episode has invaluable insights into professional experiences, and the underlying theme of continuous self-improvement.
Do you have a topic, question or even a person you’d like us to interview? Click HERE to let us know!
Is it Work-Life Balance or Life-Work Balance: Understanding the Shift in Priorities
In recent years, the concept of balancing work and life has undergone a significant shift. The traditional industrial age notion of "work-life balance" has been replaced by "life-work balance," where personal values and priorities are taking precedence over job responsibilities. As technology continues to blur the lines between personal and professional spheres, it becomes increasingly challenging to achieve balance in our lives. I am no work life balance expert or guru nor I have mastered the perfect life-work balance, but I thought I’d share some insights on the evolution of the concept of balance, the difference between the two approaches, the role of technology, and practical tips for achieving balance.
The Evolution of the Concept
The idea of balancing work and personal life has been around for a long time. However, the approach has changed dramatically over the years. In the past, the industrial age prioritized work-centric lives, with employees working long hours with little time for personal activities. However, the information age has brought about a shift where personal and professional lines blur, and people prioritize their personal lives over work responsibilities, because all work and no play makes Jack a dull person.
Difference Between 'Work-Life Balance' and 'Life-Work Balance'
Work-Life Balance is the traditional name we use, which infers prioritizing job responsibilities in such a way that there is still time left for personal activities. On the other hand, Life-Work Balance flips the traditional concept and infers humans put their personal values and priorities first, while still striving to fulfill professional responsibilities. The focus of Work-Life Balance is on work, while Life-Work Balance centers around personal life.
The Role of Technology
Technology has played a crucial role in shifting the balance between personal and professional life. It blurs the lines between personal and professional lives and has facilitated the growth of remote work, flexible hours, and the gig economy. With technology, we can work anytime and anywhere, leading to an "always-on" work culture. This can make it challenging to set boundaries between work and personal life.
Practical Tips for Achieving Balance
Setting boundaries is crucial in achieving balance. Start by setting work hours, communicate with coworkers, and limit access to work emails and phone calls outside of those hours. Implement productivity hacks such as prioritizing to-do lists, delegating tasks, and avoiding multitasking to ensure efficiency. Mindfulness and self-awareness exercises such as meditation, journaling, or seeking therapy can help manage stress and improve focus.
Remember, it is essential to find the right balance between work and personal life based on personal values and priorities. The current shift towards a ‘Life-Work balance’ in modern times indicates an increased focus on personal satisfaction, flexibility, and alignment with personal values. However, managing work and personal life can be challenging, particularly in a world where technology blurs the lines between personal and professional life. But with practical tips such as setting boundaries, time management, and mindfulness exercises, anyone can achieve balance and lead a fulfilling life. Good luck!
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Stay inspired & keep growing 🚀,
Vimal (Vee-Mull)
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