You have probably heard the term “work/life balance”. It is commonly used to describe a state of being where someone works to find the psychological and practical balance between their work and their life. The conceptual goal is to feel like their work is not overlapping or interfering with their life and vice versa. It seems like a worthy pursuit and, in my opinion, a misguided one. For years, I tried to find a “balance” and it proved to be elusive. Frankly, it produced more guilt than peace and, afterall, “work/life balance” is supposed to be comfortable, not stressful.
I used to think that I would achieve work/life balance “someday.” These are some of the thoughts that would fuel my future…someday:
I will take that vacation,
I will be able to workout everyday,
l will get that promotion and then I can work fewer hours…
After I get my bonus, I can pay off that debt, buy that car, stop working overtime
I will be able to spend more time with my family,
I will be able to get to Tim’s soccer game or even coach him,
I will be the boss and will have more personal time,
Someday…
I have a different view of it today. “Someday” won’t happen if it’s always in the future. I began to calculate that my time was running out and my someday time was getting shorter. I realized that I should change my “someday” thinking. What would happen to me if my someday could be brought forward to today. I might be happier and more satisfied. So I set to work.
Chasing Work/Life Balance was an empty exercise, but finding balance is not. Balance is what anyone can and should seek, today. It’s not a future goal, but a daily pursuit.
The truth is that the list of someday items seldom includes things like someday:
I will spend more time at work,
I will be able to stay away from my family,
I won’t have to take a vacation, work out, sleep better.
Balance should start today, not someday.