Forget Work-Life balance....

‘Work-life balance’. Anyone else feel like they hear that phrase all the time? “You must look after your work-life balance”. “I must improve my work-life balance”. Here’s the thing about that term. I. Can’t. Stand. It. Ok, so that is probably a slight exaggeration (Exaggerate? Me? Never!), let’s keep things rational here, but the point is I am not a fan of it, and here I explain why.

The term work-life balance and the way it is generally used appears (to me at least) to suggest that ‘work’ or rather, as it infers, ‘your occupation’, is draining, whereas your ‘life’ or rather, ‘non-occupation-based activities’, is all fun and frolics. This doesn’t sit well with me for a number of reasons. Firstly, it appears to imply that your ‘occupation’ is not your ‘life’. Given that our occupation is what a large proportion of us spend a huge chunk of the time that we are awake doing, to compartmentalise it as separate from ‘life’ just doesn’t sit well with me. Your occupation is fundamentally part of your life. Secondly, it appears to neglect the fact that ‘life outside your occupation’ and the inevitable tasks it brings can often feel precisely like ‘work’. There are probably very few of us out there (although I am sure there are some!) who enjoy the daily, weekly, monthly, administrational tasks that running a household ensues. But of course, they still need to be done.

So, what phrase would I use instead? Given the value I place on rest and self-care as vital elements of high performance, I personally prefer to use ‘work-rest’ balance; where ‘work’ means anything in your life (including elements both within and out with your occupation) that uses or drains your mental energy, and ‘rest’ as anything that allows you to recoup and recharge. Together, work and rest comprise your ‘life’. Now, I don’t for one moment suggest that this is a ‘perfect’ definition either. For one, it could be that you find a mentally taxing task provides you rest. However, for me it is a more helpful framework by which to consider things. Perhaps this article will get you thinking of your own? The phrasing work-rest balance allows me to consider whether I am actually getting enough ‘rest’, recognises that I am not ‘resting’ simply because I am not undertaking occupational tasks, nor am I necessarily ‘working’ just because I am.

For people who are lucky enough to be in an occupation that they love, they may never see this as ‘work’, or at least not the vast majority of it. Whilst it would be ideal of course, if we could all do a job we love, this may not be possible for everyone (or at least not immediately). By looking for elements of our occupation that speak to our personal values, we can perhaps start to recognise at least small parts that may feel less like ‘work’.

It is clearly also important to acknowledge that ‘work’ and ‘rest’ activities will be different things for different people. Or even the same person at different times. Let’s take a trip to the gym for example. For some people, they may go daily because their health is important to them, and whilst they are committed to it and want to go, it still requires ‘work’ or effort on their part to adhere. For another person, they look forward to their daily trip to the gym as a chance to recharge and do something for themselves. To 'rest'. This highlights how vital it is to take note of how different activities make us personally feel, and not to assume that because something is restful either for us or for our friend, that the reverse will also be true. Social events for introverts and extroverts provide another good example. For some, the chance to meet and chat with friends leaves them recharged and refreshed, whereas others may feel more comfortable scheduling some quiet time afterwards.

So, what was the point of my writing this article? Well, as 2022 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2023, I would love for you to spend some time considering your own ‘work-rest’ balance (or whatever phrasing speaks most to you), and how much of your life falls into each category. Are you prioritising ‘rest’ enough to be able to ‘work’ at your full capacity? Are there any small adjustments that you could make in 2023, that could have a big impact? If you are unsure how much of your life is ‘rest’ and how much is ‘work’, why not complete a diary for a week and note how you feel at different points or after different activities? If nothing more, I hope this article has provides some food for thought.

Wishing all my followers, supporters and clients a wonderful festive season and an even more wonderful New Year. See you in 2023!