The Work Life Balance Conundrum
“Work-life balance may become an antiquated term soon. Framing our work, life, interests, family, friends, and everything else we do in ‘My Lifestyle’ is a far more realistic way to view it.” Jim Collins (2020)
I tend to agree, especially when it comes to business leaders where both are so intertwined that it’s almost impossible to separate the two. Add to that the fact that life and work are simply not linear, so finding that level of flexibility to achieve any kind of equilibrium can be elusive.
It doesn’t stop us trying though and what works for one won’t work for another, so I’m just going to keep it simple and share a few pointers that I use (and advocate) to work towards maybe reaching that hallowed ground.
Find the “Why”
This is has become somewhat of a mantra for me as a business coach. Only once you identify why you are here and what your personal goals are, can you begin to look at and understand how to integrate the other areas of your life – business, relationships, health and wellbeing, wealth – and consider what you want to achieve. Are you here to make money or make a difference? Do you want to go out in a blaze of glory, or leave a legacy? Do you want to build a family and relationships or go it alone?
Lead and delegate
Build the right team, formulate and communicate the right strategy, then delegate. As Jim Collins says (yes him again!) it’s all about “getting the right people on the bus, in the right seats”, and developing them so that you can build an enduring business whether you’re physically there or not.
Start saying “No”/Set Boundaries
You’ve established your goals and got a plan (albeit necessarily flexible), now you’re good to go. Stay committed. If the task or request or new business opportunity doesn’t fit within “your lifestyle” – don’t undertake it.
Schedule your personal “downtime”
You do it for your business, now do it in your personal life. Ringfence specific dates and times for your partner, your children, friends and yourself. My passion is paddleboarding. Come rain or shine, whatever the circumstances, you’ll find me on the water. Make the “dates” a regular occurrence, then it’s a positive habit that’s harder to change.
Join a peer network
Why would you continually try and re-invent the wheel when you could simply benefit from the experience of others who “walk in your shoes.”? Find a trusted group and facilitator, ask the right questions, take the candour, be accountable and honest, enjoy the support and be brave.
Peer groups and one-to-one coaching will allow you to come up with your own solutions. You just need to “be in the room” working on your business and yourself to gain perspective, overcome the fear of failure and regularly renew and reinforce the belief in yourself and your goals.
Short-circuit decision-making processes, grow as an individual and a leader, build your resilience and gain the confidence to step back from the day-to-day tasks to really focus on “your lifestyle” in a conscious, mindful way while building an enduring company.
The Alchemists Forum has guided many members through getting the right balance between work and life, providing expert advice and sharing valuable personal experiences. We believe that being in a room with those who walk in your shoes every day is “the difference that makes a difference.”
Let the Alchemists Forum help you through your personal work/life journey. Contact Alan Branagh alan@alchemistsforum.com for more information.
Greater Decisions > Greater Thinking > Greater Performance