Training Today: Find Your Work/Life Rhythm

Work/life balance is a myth.

We hear a lot about work/life balance, but it actually is a myth, says Jon Gordon, author of “The Seed: Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work” (Wiley, 2011, www.JonGordon.com). “Rather,” he explains, “I’ve come to realize that the dance between work and life is more about rhythm than balance.”

Some tips:

  • Instead of work/life balance, think “purpose and passion.” That way, whether you’re putting in long hours on a presentation or helping your daughter work on her science project, you can find joy and happiness in whatever it is you’re pursuing at that
    moment, Gordon says.
  • Rather than thinking of your work and life day to day, think of it as a whole over an entire year. You might find that, when viewed that way, you did have a balanced life. Or you might realize you need to make a change in the way you do things during the upcoming year.
  • Build up a “hard work” bank account with your company. When the company needs you to really push, push hard. (And do it cheerfully.) This way, when you need to slow down the pace or take time off, they’ll be willing to work with you.
  • When you’re at work, really engage. And when you’re at home, really BE at home.
Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.