The debate of whether work life balance really exists, essentially hangs in the balance, especially when you’re a parent with a full time career. I’m not a firm believer in the “work life balance” phrase, but I am a proponent of giving it your best darn shot!
I’ve been in what my good friends have come to know as “Judy Martin’s self induced boot camp.” That’s when projects seem to come of age at the same time, my work in tv, radio and blogging converge and my personal life is thrust into some sort of chaotic state. It’s actually a good time.
Most inspirational or leadership philosophies teach us to look at the chaotic challenges around us at work and in business, as for opportunities for growth. But let’s take it a step further and look at them as opportunities to identify the stress triggers and raise our “stress awareness” at work.
The merging of the working and living experience goes well beyond our WorkLife Nation. A quick review of the global economy reveals that the quest for work life balance is a slamming debate no matter the continent. many fear burnout is on the horizon.
“You need to be top of mind, cause there’s so much noise out there,” said Successfool.com blogger Alejandro Reyes on his SuccessfoolTV live streamed program Wednesday night. But how one accomplishes that is a matter of great debate. This brought to mind the conundrum of balancing the work/life scenario with maintaining a solid career path in a sensory overloaded environment, one which exalts the Tweet.
Catherine Wright is the membership director for the National Association of Mothers’ Centers. She, along with the rest of the planet is in great transition. It’s a similar challenge working for non-profits in our chaotic economy. It requires a certain amount of faith and commitment, especially as non-profits are fledgling under slashed philanthropic generosity. That result, courtesy the recession and Bernie Madoff – not necessarily in the order.
“We rely a lot on individual and private foundation monies,” said Wright in a phone conversation this morning
In an exceptionally healthy workplace in the 90’s, an on-site gym, cleaner organic food in the company cafeteria, and the occasional chair massage might have been the norm. These days, since workers are more concerned with keeping their jobs than putting on a few extra pounds, it’s a different story. One could argue it ’s just as important to feel good – as to look good – mentally and physically.
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.
We run at a pace unimaginable 10 or 15 years ago. Remember when computers were a luxury? Now they are a necessity. You must recall when getting a cup of coffee meant filling a pot with water, and running it through the coffee maker at work – instead of heading to Starbucks.
If you’re a Sensory Overload Tracker (a formal expertise) like myself, the cover of the Sunday Times elicited a big, “Ha, I knew it would come to this!” In Matt Richtel’s article, In Web World of 24/7 Stress Writers Blog Till They Drop he chronicles the exhausting journey of “the blogger” and shares some disturbing news about the recent passing of several bloggers. He also lists the common physical ailments associated with those who make a career of blogging 24/7. So much for worklife balance.
