Work Life Balance is an extremely popular concept known to many. Cambridge Dictionary defines Work-life balance as “the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy”.
An average American spends 8.8 hours a day at work which is about a third in the day. I have wondered why we seldom hear phrases like “Sleep Life Balance” even though some spend up to a third of their day resting. One plausible response to that question being sleep is considered a necessity to healthy living and hence is inclusive in the definition of “life”. The question that arises then is does that mean work is not necessary? Do we have to balance work with life because work is difficult, stressful, not enjoyable?
The phrase Work-life balance was coined in 1980s by Lillian Moller Gilbreth yet for over 35 years there has been increasing focus around making work life more defined and focused, so people have more time to enjoy life outside of work. While it is necessary to come up with strategies to balance all aspects of our life, how can work become a part of life and as enjoyable as, let us say, sleep?
According to Harvard Business review, “Rapid, constant, and disruptive change is now the norm. The role of Managers, in short, is becoming that of a coach”. Equipping the employees to adapt to constantly changing environments is linked to higher level of overall success of the organization. On that same note, investing in coaching programs for mental wellbeing of employees is becoming the norm.
By partnering with a coach, employees may be able to gain greater clarity on what aspects of their job are more engaging and what aspects they would like to change. Frustration and boredom can be transformed to opportunities and process improvements. Saturation can turn into creativity. Untapped potential into marketing strategies. The possibilities are endless. When employees are offered an avenue to release energy blocks and set goals to move forward, the overall energy of the organization shifts forward.
Want to know more? Book a complimentary session to find your balance!