The meaning of work-life balance has evolved since the pandemic.
Previous generations have been satisfied with a 9-5-hour work day with weekend downtime.
Since the onset of the pandemic, rise in technology, working from home and a different set of expectations from employees, work-life balance has been brought even more to the forefront.
This new meaning comes as people realise, there is more to life than work. Is it worth trading all my valuable time for more money?
Time is now even being seen as more valuable than money itself.
With people and companies valuing their time more than ever, the question remains, how can a proper work-life balance be achieved in 2022 and beyond?
What does work-life balance mean in 2022 and beyond?
Previous generations may have concluded work-life balance means equal amounts of time personal and professional priorities. This meant that a person’s 24-hour day should be broken up and equally shared among family, work, hobbies, and personal time.
However, if the pandemic has taught the modern workforce once thing is that flexibility is essential for everyday living. Flexibility is not just a skill or quality. It has become a way of life, necessary for the challenges that come with technological, social and economic progress.
A key element of work-life balance in 2022 involves flexibility. Being flexible with our time means no longer separating work, family and other commitments from each other. Instead, it would be beneficial to see our daily lives as a mixture of these commitments, with instances of overlap or conflict.
We as individuals do not have the luxury to always pick and choose where we spend our time. As such, we must remain flexible to commit to what we identify as most urgent and important in a particular moment and committing our energy and focus to that particular priority.
How can modern work-life balance be achieved?
When aiming to achieving a balanced life, these considerations are key:
Having self-awareness
Balance cannot be fully achieved without knowledge in the form of self-awareness. This means knowing what is important to you as a person. What are your main concerns? What do your live for? What can’t your live without? What kind of life are you actively pursuing and why?
Having a strong sense of self and your own interpretation of balance, success and contentment is crucial
Deciding where to allocate time
Time is a limited. Therefore, ask yourself where and how time should be allocated towards things that are most productive and conducive to your overall wellbeing, independence and health. What responsibilities, when attended to gives you the most satisfaction?
Being realistic
Self-awareness requires realism to cater for the unexpected occurrences of life we must make time to solve.
Family emergencies, work issues or personal demands can unexpectedly occur and can have consequences if not attended to. These are usually become an individual’s highest priorities, which causes focus to shift.
These shifts, which inevitably happens to all of us, requires flexibility and discretion when shifting our focus to changing priorities. It helps to be realistic and ask yourself when these things occur:
- “What is the number one task or problem I have to attend to in this very moment”?
- Where will my energy and focus be most productively used right now?
- What is expected of me in this moment?
- Who is counting on me right now?
- What will happen if I do not attend to this matter at this moment?
Setting Boundaries
For previous generations, saying the word no might have been frowned upon, which could potentially deny you a promotion or opportunity.
Today, saying no is necessary for organising and balancing life. Time is limited and the demands are endless. It’s near impossible trying to get everything done and pleasing everyone all the time. Saying no allows you to focus on those tasks of maximum value.
Saying no and setting boundaries prevents you from taking on too much responsibility and allows maximum productivity. This is also a form of self-care.
Protect your health fiercely
Being healthy nowadays is both a privilege and responsibility. Proper balance cannot be achieved if you are unhealthy, stressed, burnt out or checked out.
Work exists and will always exist. You cannot be a productive asset to your company if you are burnt out. Your family and friends can’t find value in your company if you are stressed. Hobbies, volunteer work and social events mean nothing if you’re checked out.
True work-life balance means you’re healthy and engaged to productively use your talents, skills and presence to effect positive change.
Benefits of establishing work-life balance
When you balance work and other commitments productively, the benefits you incur include:
You earn respect
Saying no to someone may feel like you’re disappointing them, in the long run however, people respect you when you set boundaries and prioritise your time. When people realise your priorities, they understand that you respect yourself and don’t compromise your wellbeing.
It may be tough and seen as ruffling some feathers, especially if you’re the type of person naturally inclined to people pleasing. However, when you establish boundaries, people naturally come to realise your time is important and will not take advantage of your willingness to help or make unrealistic requests.
No regrets
Regret is like mental cancer. It eats away at your mind and leaves you feeling depressed, helpless or lost.
While there may be no such thing as a perfect balance, when you realistically organise your time, work and relationships to give those commitments full focus and dedication, you can be reassured that at the end of each day, you will be left with no regrets.
Cherishing each moment and enjoying life
Proper balance simplifies life. Yes, there will always be challenges, but a healthy work-life balance through realistic boundaries and time flexibility gives you the most out of life. You feel productive at work, your body and mind functions well and you enjoy well-cultivated and nurturing relationships with the people you cherish most.
