New rule. Check out TheRSA.org on a weekly basis to keep up with the diverse views, pioneering thoughts, and innovative artistic and business ideas in our 24/7 work life merge. The site is known for its animation commentaries, which are cutting-edge and galvanizing.

The organization, which began in the UK well 250 years ago, takes an enlightened perspective in its mission of social progress. It tackles the social challenges of our time through the voices of some of the most prolific thinkers in history.

“Time” is the focus in this video called The Secret Powers of Time, which features Philip Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Stanford University. In this animated video he reveals how our individual perspective on time affects our work, health and well-being. I’ll be writing more about this site and its provocative work in coming blogs. But for now I wanted to share this video as it’s so timely!

The Center for Work Life Law released a new report that I believe will blow the lid off the work life balance debate in corporate America.

Corporate chiefs who take a gander at this report might be more inclined to explore flexible working arrangements, consider a shift in their workplace culture, and perhaps lend a more open ear to the needs of workers who are caregivers – or face the consequences of litigation. It might benefit big business to boost its awareness of work life effectiveness initiatives which some companies are taking very seriously. And for good reason.

“Family Responsibilities Discrimination: Litigation Update”

The Center’s report found that employment discrimination cases filed by people [workers] who care for family members has quadrupled over the last decade. These are known as “FRD” cases. The plaintiffs maintained that despite good performance, they were judged by employers who made decisions as to how they would perform, based on personal family challenges. Because of that  judgment, according to the report “They [workers] may be rejected for hire, passed over for promotion, demoted, harassed, or terminated.”

The Wake-up Call

This should be a HUGE wake-up call for employers to seriously consider workplace flexibility strategies. Not only because some of these plaintiffs are winning their cases, but because the culture of the workplace is changing at an exponential rate in any event. Time to get on the train. Here’s why, and this is nothing new:

1. We’re a global 24/7 global marketplace
2. Women comprise more than half the workforce and are often taking on one caregiving role or another
3. Men are taking on more caregiving responsibilities
4. Boomers will remain in workforce for longer period of time due to the economic meltdown
5. People in general are living longer which means that employees might be taking care of children and aging parents at the same time

Here are some highlights from the Center’s report which reflect our changing world:

•    Employees prevail in almost half of the cases, far more frequently than in other types of employment cases.
•    Verdicts and settlements in family responsibilities discrimination cases average over $500,000.
•    Cases have arisen in every state, in every industry, and at every level in organizations.
•    Employers of all sizes have been sued, from small start-up companies to large multi-national corporations.

NPR’s Jennifer Ludden did an insightful and moving feature on the report and it’s implications which you can listen to here: More Workers Alleging Bias Against Caregivers. (full disclosure, I’m a contributor to NPR)

How significant is this report? Is it a harbinger of things to come or will companies shrug it off? Can they afford to? Please share your thoughts.

Hang onto your day job. It’s a thread of conversation among folks looking to ditch their job in favor of pursing their passion of entrepreneurship. But unless you have buckage in the bank to pay your bills for a year in addition to the investment of starting a new business, most small business pundits would not suggest throwing in the towel – cold turkey.

But there is swelling support to help you achieve what social media expert Chris Brogan calls “escape velocity.” “The ability to leave a situation that isn’t helpful or desired.” It’s the path less traveled where you’ve got your feet planted in the financial security of a steady job, while igniting the journey toward doing work that you’re passionate about.

Chris wrote about this idea in a recent blog post: An Escape Velocity Bookshelf, where he lists books that helped him and others generate escape velocity. It’s the niche of choice these days on his blog as his, “goal is to help people humanize business.” Those words are music to my ears here at WorkLife Nation because that’s precisely why I started writing this blog – to exalt the human experience in the workplace and in business.

At the recent social media #SOBcon conference in Chicago, I recorded a few minutes of Chris’s workshop when he spoke about escape velocity. That’s the topic of this weeks WorkLife Nation video. Meantime, here are some tips that might help you in your journey toward pursuing more fulfilling work.

1. Identify your strengths: Write a list of your strengths. You might have some skills that are going unused in your current job. Perhaps there are ways to generate income doing part time or freelance work that is related to your desired business direction.  This would allow you to dip your toe in the waters of a new field of interest, without giving up the ship of solid employment.
2. Consult on the side: Depending on the mandates of your current job, there might be wiggle room to do some consulting work on the side, in your new field of interest. Not only are you using this avenue to explore the niche, but you can begin to network within this new community and start building a reputation and a database.
3. Affiliate marketing: Chris Brogan mentions this in the video. If you have a popular blog that people in a certain niche like to visit, seek out affiliate opportunities within your network. You don’t have to hit people over the head with product, but you do have to deliver quality content on your blog.
4. Passive revenue streams: All of the above can create extra revenue streams, but there’s a difference between a stream that requires a lot of effort and one that is passive. Affiliate marketing directs your readers to the material and products of associates. But you can generate your own passive income through your own products.
5. Knowledge is a cash cow: Since you have already identified your strengths, how about turning them into paid content? Do an inventory of your knowledge base. Is there a niche of wisdom which you command, differentiates you from others in your field and others will pay for? If so, create an e-book or an informational audio series. You can sell these products on your blog, but more importantly you’re building a platform and generating escape velocity to graduate to the next phase of your career.

No matter the culture, religion, or philosophical tenet, the “Golden Rule” is a common thread that few will argue with. But when it comes to the work life merge, sometimes it goes the wayside. Sometimes the almighty dollar trumps such a human core value, when productivity and profit come before people. But I’m happy to say that slice of perennial wisdom was alive and well at #SobCon 2010 this year, a social media gathering which brings together people to boost their businesses on the web.

The design of the social media conference included mastermind sessions that leveled the playing field. Social media masters mingled with professionals from many sectors in a gracious way – sharing their knowledge. And there was also a “give back” session, where the entire group, en masse, joined forces to create marketing projects for non-profits. Might sound pollyannish, but the current flowing through this group of people could change the world, or at least their small piece of it.

There were lots of take-aways which I’ll get into in the coming weeks, but I wanted to start with that human core value of the “Golden Rule” and the work of leadership expert Steve Farber who is profiled in this week’s WorkLife Nation video.

Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano didn’t just erupt overnight (nor do our work life disturbances). On the other side of the planet, a bunch of earthquakes preceded the eruption over the last month or so (not to mention Taiwan last night). The earths plates have been rumbling and might have very well triggered the lava flow. It’s similar with the our never ending quest for work life balance. Many of us burn the midnight oil to keep the boss happy. The workload often flows into overtime or bringing work home. Challenges at the intersection of the work life merge can stump progress or even success.

We don’t just spiral into the abyss of chaos overnight. There are signals, and signs of impending difficulties. But most of the time we ignore them and keep chugging along. Solutions toward staving off imbalance are highly individual. But if we’re quiet and aware enough to listen to those distinct cries for help from the inner disturbances, we might be able to head off the eruption, before we start to spew the lava of disarray that comes from being thrown earthquakes of interruption. Here are some simple self assessment tools to get you going:

1. Pay attention to your physical health. Have you noticed a headache or pain that has increased in intensity? Do an overall body check. Think about the last time you went to the doctor. Small concerns could signal larger issues down the line. Stress can cause health risks.
2. Do a mental health check. Are you growing irritable at an increasingly rapid rate? Working to please your boss or colleagues can weigh heavy on your psychological health. Imbalances in this department impact productivity, creativity etc. Chat with a friend or professional if you feel you need help. Don’t ignore feelings of depression.
3. Avoid overbooking. We tend to want to get everything into one week. There is bound to be overflow. If you take a look at your schedule, you might find items that can be put off to the following week. This is not procrastination, but effective time management in a 24/7 world.
4. Give yourself permission to stop. I’ve gotten some push back on this topic because competition is hot in the job market, but I believe that we have to schedule the white space in the calendar to relax, review and recharge. For you this might mean exercise or meditation. This will allow you to make work and life decisions from a place of strength, not exhaustion.
5. Commission a second set of eyes and ears to assess your work life scenario. Grab an accountability buddy. Checking in with a friend or colleague to discuss work life challenges goes a long way toward addressing them. They might offer solutions that didn’t occur to you.

Trolling the blogs while preparing to drive back from the Hamptons shore Sunday, I was inspired by Christine Livingston’s (@coblyn) post, Why New Work Pioneers Really Bother. Immediately, I slowed down my pace to enjoy a better (as @CaliYost says) “work life fit” for the afternoon. Christine wrote about things like joy, contentment, mindfulness and gratitude being important to these “New Work” pioneers, and I couldn’t agree more. Afterall, I’m one of them.

A different kind of work

I was introduced to Christine’s blog, A Different Kind of Work by blogging consultant Michael Martine (@remarkablogger) just a few months ago and I was thrilled to find a kindred spirit in Christine.  This day, she reminded me why I launched my own blog nearly three years ago,  Judy Martin’s WorkLifeNation.com: to cover the stories, pioneers and organizations that are fostering Success, Serenity and Significance in our 24/7 world – our “new economy.”

The universal nudge

Christine’s post was the nudge from the universe to heed my own philosophy on Sunday morning. There was no need to dart out the door of this magnificent home, to prep for my client. The creating could easily happen by the beach and at my leisure – because of technology.  (I am a Mac girl) The atmosphere was rich with fresh sea air which got my creative juices flowing and infused me with joy. I was content to sit, work and take in the roses – in between the spreadsheets. Precisely the tone of Christine’s post as she wrote about New Work Pioneers:

“Yes, they want more control over their lives. Yes, they want to do more of what they love, inside and outside of work, more on their terms……It’s the wish to have not just a professionally successful career, but also to have a well-lived life…..In short, they want to give themselves the pleasure of being wholly alive.”

New work/vocation

Back in December I posted on how we’re redefining success ( Redefining your career, business or personal success in a chaotic world ) based on an inner need or wisdom to be part of something much bigger than ourselves within our career trajectory, to be more passionate about life and to seek a more productive and peaceful work life merge. Likening this type of work to “vocation” is not a stretch, especially with the increasing popularity of the Encore Career community. Giving back,while making a profit and loving the work you’re doing.

Beachside success

I was loving working near the beach Sunday. It fueled my spirit. I completed a brief for my client, and then allowed downtime for meditation and breath work. I say  “downtime,” but to clarify, I’m talking about a quickly scheduled respite in this case. Although my work life fit includes longer periods of “downtime” in the form of recharging and contemplation, today called for a moment of pause and even a quick nap.

Is  “downtime” detrimental to success?

In a post at TheMammaBee blog, @TheMamaBee has somewhat of a different take on this as she wrote in her post, Workplace Prioritizing:What is “Urgent?”

“For me, improving finding peace in my professional and family life isn’t about downtiming, or even taking time for moments of peace throughout the day.  It’s about a consistently pleasant and rational work environment.”

TheMamaBee illustrated the concerns of working in this new economy with increasing demands and the need for better work life design, as she offered stories from working moms:

“Neither of these friends want to down-time — if anything, they are intensely ambitious individuals who want to climb further up the corporate ladder.  They don’t need to slow down, per se.  But they would be much happier if their companies could better prioritize; not every hiccup should be an urgent request…”

That need for instant gratification and expectation, especially in corporate America (which is now a cog in the competitive wheel of globalization)  is likely here to stay. That’s why prioritizing workload and burning the midnight oil often plays a pivotal role in success. But I don’t think “overwork” is the answer to the dilemma of performing in a business world that changes in an instant. I’m certainly not knocking hard work, but I would never mistake my “downtime” for taking a chill from the game.

Merriam-Webster defines “downtime” as “time during which production is stopped especially during setup for an operation or when making repairs.” A car can’t run on fumes, nor can the human body. The mind gets frazzled with information overload if not managed.  That’s why I’m a believer that stopping and refueling are necessary for growth. Inner and outer expansion on our career journey.

Taking a chill

Meditative practices and Yoga bring me into a state of calm for the moment and in fact have played into my definition of success. Producing quality work in a 24/7 high-tech global marketplace with success, serenity and significance. These practices build on the inner core of quiet that I’ve been working on for years, as I’ve transitioned and thrived in our new economy. The warehouse of calm is like an internal fuel pump that carries me throughout my day, and is especially useful when consulting with business executives on their stress reduction and work life merge.

Work Life Success

Every Monday here at WorkLifeNation.com, we’ll be talking about how we’re redefining work life success. What does it look like?  Is work life success the journey toward work life balance? Is your “success” defined by the “success” of your personal brand and voice in a way that’s impacting those around you? Are you defining your success at the work life intersection with better flexible working practices? How are your working toward a better work life merge in your workplace or business? Please take a breath and chime in.

Judy being contemplative for the camera

Information overload has blurred the lines in the work life merge. Unless we “insist” on creating the blended formula that works for us as individuals, we risk being consumed by the chaos of simple daily living. That means avoiding the “attention crash” by taking personal responsibility for our own Work Life Serenity .

This concept of “insisting” was needling at me after reading a post by Chrysula Winegar (@chrysula) at her blog, Work.Life.Balance.

Chrysula was commenting on a post over at Career Connection which was written by guest Meghan Biro on the entrepreneurial path to work life balance in which Meghan wrote:

“Work-life balance comes to us when we seek it, when we insist on it. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to find it – you just have to be really sure about what matters most to you.”

Chrysula went on to explore further, writing:

“When was the last time you insisted on something that mattered to you, that enhanced your quality of life and your capacity to live with impact?”

Serenity appears to be the compete antithesis to thriving in a competitive, new economy where the early “tweet” catches the bird. But I’d argue it’s the contemplative downtime which often sparks critical thinking, creativity, and from which can emerge a silence that is yours as an individual. Silence, serenity and/or bliss are not woo woo places to be. They are challenging journeys to an unknown destination. That’s why they are so undervalued, and why the silence is feared. We don’t know what we’ll get in return when ROI – Return on Investment trumps everything.

When one “insists” on stopping, even for five minutes a day, it’s thumbing your nose to the rest of the world and its dictates of 24/7 being the “god” of commerce. 24/7 might be the dogma of the new economy, but you are the master of your time. We can following the 24/7 guru while heading to the guru within. The paths are not mutually exclusive. But one has to employ great discipline to get quiet.

When one “insists” on creating a formula for their personal work life serenity, that’s the signal to the world and the inner voice that says, “throw at me what you will, I’m ready to consume it, and use it as fuel to thrive in my business and go to a deeper place as a human being.”

Today begins a new life here at WorkLife Nation. Hope you’ll join me for the journey.

While catching up on my Twitter status (@judymartin8) 1am on Tuesday morning I ran across a dynamic video rant from social media titan Gary Vaynerchuck (@GaryVee) on the new chapter in his life which has gotten a new infusion of work life balance. Mesmerized by his words and hilarious tone I dropped him a tweet.

He was in Australia, I was in New York and there we were on Twitter dishing on the crucial trait of “focus” in life and in business, and his model of work/work balance. I met Gary at Book Expo America last year and found him to be funny and kind. But what struck me was his incredible work/work ethic. And I mean practically 24/7. I wondered how long his crazy schedule would keep at the same pace. But it was that same pace that helped him build his empire which includes working with the Jets, Nets and Forbes Magazine. And now it’s that pace that is morphing into something new.

Gary’s book Crush It: Cashing in on Your Passion, zipped along the best seller list as he catapulted to fame on his social media status. But it took a lot of hard work. Now he seems a bit more contemplative. Was it having a baby? Or just redefining success based on a deeper purpose to have a better work life fit – while help others at the same time?

It’s worth watching the video for a dose of energetic wisdom from a guy with a humble background who has traveled the world, only to go a bit deeper as a human being. One of his inspirations, Yoda. Which reminds me of a favorite Yoda quote from Star Wars which I believe illustrates, to a degree, where Gary is coming from:

“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” –Yoda

Here are some of Gary’s thoughts as we approach half-time for 2010.

“Everything works when it’s in balance and I feel I have to start learning and executing. I need to read some more. I need to read the blogs… 2 or 3 hours worth of news. I need the time to play basketball.”

“I really bad at saying no. I don’t want to say no. I’m so appreciative that people give a crap…. If you don’t execute you don’t win and I feel like I’m stretched too thin that I need to cut something out.”

“I want to come through for my clients, I want to come through for my family. I’m in too many places, trying to do too much, I’m only one person . I need to get focused and fierce. I’m hungry. The only way I can do that is to get my head down.”

“I’m going to get lean mentally, I’m going to get lean business wise, I’m going to let lean physically. I don’t think I’m disappearing, in some ways I’ll be more social.”

“For me to give back quality, I need these next 9 months for sure. For sure. I’m putting my head down…I have to focus on the cake that’s in front of me, I’m trying to get too many pieces of pie.”

“I need to read and devour content, put my head down “Yoda” it up.” I’m focused and I’m ready…It’s going to be more controlled interaction. I want to be cutting edge…The fire’s here, the fire’s in me – I’m fired up!”

Gary’s agenda ….
… will be taking up some sort of exercise – eyeing racquetball
… is trimming down on the speaking circuit for 2010
… wants to start learning again by reading and getting smarter
… wants to live it and execute it
… hit home runs for clients
… wants to build businesses and Vayner Media needs his attention
… needs to write his new book “The Thank You Economy”
… needs to stop hitting triples and start hitting home runs again
… needs to know everything that’s going on, to consume it, play with it and touch it
… wants to schedule a one hour Q & A show
… needs to change things up to win

At President Obama’s workplace flexibility conference last week, he explained that with “the rise of the juggler family…every day is a high-wire act, everything is scheduled right down to the minute, and there is no room for error.” He essentially was calling for better integration of the working and living experience.

With that, Mr. Obama announced he’s testing a “result-only working environment” or ROWE with 400 members of his own staff. (check out  Sue Shellenbarger’s blog, “The Juggle” at the Wall Street Journal.)

When using ROWE, employees are “evaluated on performance – not presence.” It supports the idea that “face time” doesn’t equal results, and that workers who can better control the integration of their work and family life, might be more productive and happy.

Take that idea a step further and deeper, and it might provide a jump-off point for exalting the human experience in the workplace and business. Given the ability to better balance ones lifestyle with their work, there’s an opportunity to better focus on personal development across the board.

An integral approach is the foundation for Integral Life Practice: A 21st Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity and Spiritual Awakening.

The material is written by four well known thought leaders on consciousness and human development including Ken Wilbur, whose work I have been reading for many years and I highly respect. The book both includes and transcends dogma, incorporates ancient and post-modern theories of human evolution and most importantly is not a heady read. It’s actually common sense guidance to navigate our sensory overloaded climate while growing as human beings.

In this weeks WorkLife Nation Web Video, you’ll hear from Terry Patten, one of the authors of Integral Life Practice. It’s just a snapshot of a longer interview that I’ll be posting at my Judy Martin Speaks YouTube Channel in the coming weeks. The philosophy stretches our minds and souls to tap the deeper nature of who we are, at our highest potential. As Patten says,  “If you’re not growing, you’re not dynamic, you’re not happening.”

“Is ‘Balance’ Bunk?” That was the jist of a panel discussion I was invited to participate on at the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Conference (#PHWP), hosted by the American Psychological Association.

David Ballard PsyD, MBA  (@DrDavidBallard) moderated, as Cali Yost Williams, Founder of WorkLife Fit Inc.  (@CaliYost), Matthew Grawitch Ph.D. (@DocGrawitch) and yours truly – Judy Martin (@judymartin8) explored the work life conversation, past and present -  while discussing legislative proposals in the face of the hard realities of doing business in America.

Being the media maven on the panel, I offered a glimpse into the history of “work-life,” often referred to as “work-family.” From the days when work life balance was all about moms, to the feminist take (just think of the Enjoli commercials – I mentioned the ad in my presentation) to today’s First Family… telecommuting…flexibility…reduced work week – there’s a lot to reflect upon.

Here’s a brief few minutes of my presentation.