What are your values or beliefs about balancing work and home life?
Family and work are equally important in one’s life I cannot seem to pick one that supersedes the other. One cannot afford to concentrate on the family at the expense of work and vice versa, therefore there is the need to maintain an unbiased ground in order to furnish the two equally. The business environment today is faced paced and hectic and many people are increasingly getting concerned about work-life balance than their predecessors. Neglect of any of the two or both can be disastrous because we need our personal concerns just as much as we need our breadwinner. Despite having this information, most people still find it difficult to maintain an above average work-life balance. Previous research has discovered that graduates work for long hours thereby attaining a poor and unsatisfactory balance of the two.
What do experts say is the importance of balancing a personal life with your work life?
Experts have varying views on the subject but most do not see work and personal life as two different opposites. Nonetheless, they are of the idea that engaging the two seamlessly will benefit an individual’s well-being. Vicki Hess an RN consultant has authored many books including “SHIFT to Professional Paradise: 5 Steps to Less Stress, More Energy & Remarkable Results at Work”(Sanborn 2013) . Christine Louise Hohlbaum a prominent author, sharing the same sentiments with Vicki, maintains that the balance between work and balance is a state of mind, and is all about the energy and enthusiasm when handling both issues.
The inability to maintain balance can lead to stress and burnout for an individual. Having no time to relax will eventually eats into the performance levels and this is why it is important for people to recharge through doing something pleasurable. Taking time out will make one be a better, family member, employee or friend.
How do we integrate these into our corporate culture around the world?
The corporate world today as aforementioned is frantic and requires tremendous effort in order to juggle the demands of family and work efficiently and effectively. As it is, “busy” is the new “normal” and balance can be attained in the following ways. (1) Knowledge of the employer terms of employment and if telecommuting is permissible. This can help an employee negotiate arrangements especially if one is a good performer. (2) Prompt communication. It is good to let the manager know if there are personal or family issues so that you can have some time. (3) Take advantage of technology. With technology, one can be very close to a far-away family member or very far from a friend in close proximity; it should therefore be controlled appropriately to achieve perfect work life balance.
References
Sanborn, Graham. 2013. “Work-Life Balance.” Jom 65(6): 675.
