We (I) tend to try and compartmentalize areas of my life. If you ever took a look at my calendar and saw all of the color coding you'd find that I attempt to categorize EVERYTHING. What I've begun to realize is that there is actually a lot of overlap in what we do.
I don't believe that there can ever be a strong line drawn between any of the areas of our lives. Especially in an age where we can take our work home with us (thanks email...) there is in my mind no perfect way to achieve this "balance" we search for. For example, as I'm writing this post I'm sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Houston for a sales competition. Is drafting this post work? Well, I do have a deadline in place, but I really enjoy writing this, so is it play? Is this competition work? I have been working very hard to get here and to do well, but I'm also with friends and we're having a fun time, so is it play? You see, there can be no clear division particularly when you enjoy everything you do.
And that's the key I believe: enjoying what you do. If you like your work then it is not truly work. And if your play is productive, who's to say it's not work? The measure of this balance then is your own level of happiness. If you find that you feel like you are stressed and taking on too much, then it is time to pull back. Conversely, if you are not achieving all you want to, then it may be time to make a change and focus a bit more.
How do you feel about work/life balance?
-AJF
The B Bar
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Be sure to check out the other posts in the linkup!
I work with compartments too...it really helps me focus on the present work/activity/social event without getting bogged down with all the other "to do" items.
ReplyDeleteAs great as compartments are, I really look for that overlap so that I find happiness and joy in everything I do!
DeleteWell said, Alyssa! I think that making your "work" your life's passion is critical. And agreed- who's to say that "play" can't also contribute to it?! Happy to hear that you enjoy what you do so much that there is no division!
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Kira
Thank you Kira! Having fun with your work is a non-negotiable essential in my mind
DeleteYou couldn't have said it better! A work-life balance is about finding contentment in the things you do. There's no % split, and each of us have different preferences and goals!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsay! It is great to be able to personalize your time with respect to your goals and the only real way to achieve this "balance" we all seek
DeleteI totally agree that balance is different per person. I know that if I owned my own business my work/life balance would be much different than my current 9-5 situation.
ReplyDeleteYour time and priorities will always be evolving so it's really great to go with the flow
DeleteI think about that too...as a blogger, I spend a LOT of time on my blog, but I do have a FT job which is what I consider 'work'. So, I ask myself how I categorize blogging within my time. I'm trying to get it to the point where it'll be my job (not anytime soon, unfortunately!), so I do approach it from that mindset, but I love blogging and it's my passion, so it doesn't feel like work, lol. Therefore, I tend to probably spend too much time on it and not enough down time, so I'm trying to work on a better balance there, but I agree a lot of what we do in life is overlap, so how do we balance all of that!
ReplyDeleteIf you really love blogging and you don't feel like it's a chore then I would keep going full throttle! If it can be both your work and downtime simultaneously all the better! You've got this girl!
DeleteI totally agree. It can be stressful, at least for me blogging doesn't seem to feel like a job! However, to the people in my life, it looks like one, which can be the hard part. xx, Hayley www.dailydoseofdarling.com
DeleteIt is hard to get people to understand how much you love blogging when it just appears like a lot of work haha
DeleteI love the idea of productive play!
ReplyDeleteIt is the best when you can have fun and accomplish something too!
DeleteI think you're onto something not trying to compartmentalize work and life so much. I think this, partnered with guidelines around how you use technology, and how prioritize your day, can lead to a fulfilling life all around!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cara! I am really working hard at learning my priorities and not trying to be everything to everyone
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