The Stigma of “Work Life Balance”
Work-life balance is often poo-pooed by those who preach that long hours and high blood pressure from their “relentless grinding” are the sole paths to success. A notion passed down through levels of management that implies to achieve an “exceeds-expectations” on a performance review, one must sacrifice personal time and well-being, prioritizing work above all else.
The reality, however, is that such a black and white approach is not sustainable in the long run. The idea of work-life balance isn’t about working less; it’s about working smarter (not what you think) and making sure it compliments your life, not overshadows it.
“We work to live, not live to work” is a slight reminder that helps prevent the dreaded burnout and maintain mental and physical health.
Addressing the iffy reputation of work life balance requires a shift in how we view work and ultimately, success. It starts with setting clear boundaries with PTO and other forms of time off being treated as fully disconnected regardless of the “emergencies.” True rest and recovery is the biggest factor in improved long- term productivity, personally and professionally. By prioritizing rest and recovery, you can increase your output on workdays because you know that an off day to recharge is just around the corner.
The Illusion of Being Busy
There is a widespread illusion that being “busy” equates to being productive. This misconception leads to a culture where long hours are valued more than actual output. For most mid-level roles, the responsibilities can be completed within a standard 40-hour workweek, as long as that time is being used efficiently. It seems because the organization prioritizes time “online” over output, there is a pressure to appear busy. This can encourage employees to engage in unnecessary tasks or fall trap to The Parkinson’s Law, which diminishes true productivity.
Disorganization can also lead to the decline in a team member’s output. Inneffectly managing time can lead to individuals feeling overwhelmed with piling up tasks. This is often masked by the appearance of being busy, leading others to believe that the workload is heavier than it actually is. They might even claim to be extra busy to create the illusion of importance, this is most likely driven by an insecurity of being replaced.
To combat the “illusion” of being busy, it is crucial to focus on time management and prioritize tasks that genuinely contribute to organizational goals. This means eliminating time-wasters and distractions, such as excessive meetings or unnecessary administrative tasks. Doing so, employees can complete their work within the designated hours, allowing for a more balanced life. It is also important for managers to recognize and reward efficiency rather than sheer time spent working. This shift in focus can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce.
The praise from upper management, highlighting this illusion of being busy is a significant barrier to achieving work-life balance. It’s not until managers recognize and reward efficiency rather than sheer time spent working that we can eliminate the fluff, and can we shift to a less bloated and productive corporate world.
Reputation Management: How can You achieve work-life-balance without creating a poor reputation?
A positive reputation at work is essential for growth, and will also make your life easier. People will go out of their way to assist you when you have questions, if you need to put a rush on a request with another department there is no issue, and of course when you are ready to move into a new internal role – you’ll be someone they want to interview. It’s possible to achieve all of this without sacrificing your personal life.
We could harp on productivity and efficiency all day long, but you get the picture. BE ORGANIZED, AND WISELY USE YOUR TIME WHILE AT WORK. Easy-peasy. By doing this, the largest feather you’ll place in your reputation cap is being seen as reliable and competent. Unfortunately, that alone is unusual and will make you a major player on your team.
Another basic thing that gets lost as we age, is playing nice in the sandbox. It’s so important to be friendly and approachable, even when you need to be firm. This balance of professionalism and approachability helps in creating a positive work environment and fosters better relationships with colleagues.
Now, this is only if we have set strong boundaries with our time off being used for leisure, and not off the clock working hours… One way to enhance your reputation is to practice in “Sprints.” Short-term, but intense work periods. During these two-to-three-month seasons, you can stay late, come in early, and volunteer for additional projects. Staying late or coming in early does not have to be an extravagant amount of time. In actuality, people notice if you are 10-15 minutes past your normal leaving time. If you stay a half an hour later, Oh watch out, you’ll be praised for “your commitment and willingness to go the extra mile when necessary.”
It’s important not to milk the clock, but to actually find things to occupy your time that impact the team in a greater way.
A difficult one to implement, but crucial to reputation management is avoiding scrolling through your phone during work hours. Do this in the bathroom like a normal person. Try keeping it screen face down, and only use it to listen to music or podcasts during the day.
When you have the urge to scroll, use the time to brainstorm ideas that can improve processes and procedures within your organization. Anytime you can put the word “proactively” in front of your actions, this not only assists your reputation in real life, but can be added to your performance reviews, and those reviews are what leads to extra bonus and salary increase. We love those reviews.
Consistent performance, effective time management, and playing nice in the sandbox are the primary focus areas for someone taking an active interest in their reputation. Focusing on these areas, you can achieve a balance that supports both your career and personal life. It’s possible to be seen as a hard worker and a reliable team member without sacrificing your well-being. Reputation management not only enhances your career prospects but also contributes to a more fulfilling and sustainable work life.
Over time, these habits can increase your “resting rate” of productivity, allowing you to accomplish more with less effort.
Improving Productivity: Importance of Momentum and Raising Your Baseline
Momentum is vital both personally and professionally. During these sprints, it may initially be difficult to maintain the pace. But these bursts of effort can significantly enhance your long term capabilities… It just takes time.
After a period of rest, returning to this high level of productivity can feel more manageable, and you’ll be able to accomplish more this time around. It’s Just like lifting weights. For your muscles to grow you first need to put them under stress, causing micro-tears in the fibers. It’s not until you rest that your body can repair these tears, and as a result the muscle mass is bigger and able to lift more weight. This cycle of effort and recovery helps raise your baseline performance, making each sprint more effective and less taxing.
Momentum is not just about working hard; it is about building habits that support sustained improvement. By pushing yourself during these intense periods, you develop skills and efficiencies that carry over into your regular work routine. This improvement cycle helps you become more effective not only in your role, but in general life. The key is to balance these sprints with enough rest to prevent burnout and maintain long-term productivity.
The discipline and focus required during intense work periods can spill over into other areas of life, enriching your overall well-being and personal development. Whether it’s focusing on hobbies, improving fitness, or learning new skills, the habits formed through building momentum at work can positively impact your entire life. This holistic approach to growth ensures that your hard work contributes to your overall satisfaction, not just career success.
Work-Life Balance does not come free, though we all wish it would. You’ll have sprints of hard, focused, work on your career, and moments of rest and recovery at home. It’s crucial to use your time wisely, and remember that the more you accomplish consistently the easier it becomes.