WorkLife Nation: 7 tips for work/life sanity in a chaotic job market

In this 24/7, high-tech, global marketplace, the elusive quest for work/life balance can be a tumultuous journey, as many have the added responsibility of looking for work or just trying to hold onto the job they have. As unemployment numbers rival anything we’ve seen since the Great Depression, the working and living experience has merged by default.

As I’ve written before, we have essentially become a WorkLife Nation. A new perspective on work/life culture is emerging. It’s a new, multi-faceted vision of how we work, live and thrive in a world that is presenting difficult challenges, forcing us to embrace more flexibility at work and in our family lives. The working and living experience, separated for so long, has merged due to three dominant themes.

First, we are working hard to secure our good standing at work, thus the lines tend to blur between work and life as overtime becomes the norm.

Second, due to layoffs, some (many of whom are boomers) have chosen to take control of their own lives by becoming entrepreneurs. This group is working hard and putting in long hours to gain market and brand strength in a weakening economy. They are often rewiring their careers and taking more risks.

The third theme is the growing interest in social capitalism; doing work that is closely aligned with one’s life passion, core human values and service. The blurred lines between work and life are fueled by a passion for a career infused with meaning and purpose.

The great WorkLife Merge is happening whether one likes it or not. How it is handled is a matter of choice: To come from a place of fear, or proactively take personal responsibility. Several concise tips offer an alternative to burnout so that one can not only survive, but also to thrive in a chaotic job market and slumping economy.

1. Give yourself permission to take a break. We are our own worst critic at home and at work. Give yourself permission to wind down, even for a few minutes a day, with a walk, exercise, a good book or a movie.

2. Explore your own brand of creativity. If you like to write, speak or have another artistic bent, think of ways to incorporate those skills in the workplace or in your family life.

3. Journal on a consistent basis. In times of frustration, saying what you want, when you want, regardless of the consequences, may create conflict at home and in the workplace, but venting your soul to your eyes only might give you a new perspective.

4. Take joy in accomplishing small tasks. Even if it’s just the laundry or making a phone call, set a few goals for yourself each day. This can be an enormous help to alleviate anxiety. Procrastination makes it difficult to move forward.

5. Embrace a personal identity independent of your business image. When we become too identified with our job or a position of power, anything that challenges may cause anxiety. Put more effort into hobbies outside of work; explore volunteering outside of the sector in which you work; spend more time cultivating relationships; and expand your skill base into other sectors.

6. Design your own program to cultivate resilience. Think about what brings you to a place of calm, and take time out of your day to slow the wheels of the mind. Whether it’s meditating, playing tennis or reading, out of silence comes creativity and vitality. That small break just might be the catalyst for a great idea.

7. Remember to breathe. The interaction of activity and paying attention to how you breathe requires concentration and will keep your mind focused on what is in front of you. Breathing is the healing elixir of life and is the greatest tool to calm the mind and body.