Create greater Harmony.

In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, personal development and career gurus love to advise us on the best methods of achieving “work-life balance.” The term is thrown around like confetti at a celebration. We’re told that we must find this elusive equilibrium between our professional endeavors and personal lives to achieve true happiness and fulfillment. It is like the search for the Holy Grail. I have a secret for you. Are you ready? Seeking work-life balance is a form of self-sabotage; it is an illusion that we will not achieve because, in reality, it doesn’t exist. 

What is balance, anyway?  When we talk about balance, most of us envision a scale where work and personal life are perfectly counterweighted, ensuring that neither side tips too far on one side or the other. It sounds great in theory, but life is not as neat and tidy as a scale. It is messy, unpredictable, and constantly evolving. How many people do we know that spend equal time and energy in their home and work lives? Striving for an equal split between the two is setting ourselves up for disappointment from the very beginning.

Work demands fluctuate, sometimes requiring more time and energy than our personal lives can accommodate. Other times, our personal lives need to take precedence, demanding our undivided attention. It is a dynamic interplay between the two; so, trying to maintain a rigid balance will most likely lead to additional frustration and guilt when one side inevitably takes priority over the other.

So, if balance is not the answer, what is the solution? Harmony! Unlike balance, which implies an equal distribution of time, energy, and resources, harmony invites us to focus on the synergy between different aspects of our lives. It is about integrating our work and personal pursuits in a way that complements rather than competes with each other. The question that we should be asking is: are all of the aspects of our lives working together in harmony to create the life that we desire?

Instead of striving to clock in a specific number of hours at the office and rushing home to squeeze in quality time with our loved ones, we should consider how we can seamlessly blend our professional and personal pursuits throughout the day. It is about finding joy and fulfillment in all of the areas of our lives without feeling like we are constantly juggling competing priorities.  After all, isn’t joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction the point? Isn’t that the ultimate goal?

It all sounds great, but how do we achieve this elusive harmony? Like most things, it begins with a shift in mindset. Instead of compartmentalizing our work and personal life like opposing forces always vying for our attention, we need to recognize the interconnectedness between our work and home. Naturally, our work influences our personal life, and vice versa. When we embrace the interconnectedness, we can begin to integrate our professional and personal pursuits in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and intentional.

We can use some practical strategies to create greater harmony in our lives.

First, we must be clear about our priorities. What matters to you? Take some time to reflect and define what it is that you are trying to create. What are your core values? What brings you joy and fulfillment? Once we clearly understand what truly matters, we can align our actions accordingly, ensuring that our work and personal lives reflect what is most important to us.

Next, it is imperative that we set clear boundaries between our work and personal time. We need to set specific hours between the two that align with our objectives. Once we have solidified our schedule, we need to stick to it as much as possible. We have to stay focused on our overall vision and not allow the means to become the end in any capacity.

Another way to stay anchored in our intentions is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness and meditation practices will help us stay grounded and present. We can take moments throughout the day to check in with ourselves, noticing any feelings of stress and overwhelm, so that we can take steps to address them proactively.

And, flexibility is the key to achieving harmony in our lives. We have to recognize that there will be times when work demands more of our attention and other times when our personal lives must take precedence. We need to be willing to adjust our priorities and schedules accordingly, without feeling guilty for doing so. Remember, it is our life; we make the rules!

Success or sabotage? Instead of chasing the elusive notion of work-life balance, strive for harmony as part of your strategy for greater fulfillment in every part of your life.

Is this going to be an incredible day? Are all of the pieces of your life working together to create the day that you desire?