Work-Life Balance Is Becoming Work-Life Integration
How do you spend the majority of your time? Is it traveling, exploring a new hobby, or being with family?
If you’re like most people, the answer is working. We spend a huge percentage of our lives at work.
Work is changing. For the most part, the strict boundaries that used to exist between our work and personal lives have blurred. It’s no longer about balancing work and life; it’s about integrating them. If we spend more time working than doing anything else, then work really is life, and life is work.
This isn’t just some job you’re working; this is your life that you’re building. You don’t have time to be around people who bring you down or to work for a company you don’t love because doing so means you are wasting precious time building the life you want.
Making the mental switch to work as life can be difficult, but here are a few things you can do to make sure your personal and professional goals align:
- Look at how you spend your time. Are your hobbies the complete opposite of what you do for work? Ideally, you should be working at something you enjoy and would choose to do anyway. Consider what you do when you have free time and see how that relates to your career path.
- Write down your personal and professional goals. Are your goals working together, or is it impossible to achieve your personal and professional goals? With work as life, there shouldn’t be a differentiation between personal and professional goals.
- Think of how you are treated at work. Do you feel empowered and appreciated when you go to work? Don’t waste time working for an organization where you don’t enjoy going to work. Find a place where you are treated with respect.
- Set long-term goals and aim high. It’s easy to get into a routine and not think long-term. Don’t be afraid to set lofty personal and professional goals for yourself. If your current path isn’t getting you to those goals, re-think what you’re doing.
- Consider your values. Because work and life are so intertwined, you want to work for an organization that has the same values you do. Taking the time to find a place that aligns with your beliefs will pay off in the long run.
If you look at work as just a place to get a paycheck, you’re doing a disservice to yourself. It’s nearly impossible to avoid work and life merging into one, so align your goals to create the life experience you want. This is your life — make the most of it.
Companies with better employee experiences have more engaged and productive workers, higher profits, and the ability to attract and retain talent. In today’s competitive talent landscape, companies can’t afford not to invest in employee experience. Download your copy and start creating better experiences for your employees and customers today!
