Balance under pressure

When I was younger, I remember being so amazed by my brother’s ability to create amazing LEGO structures. They were intricate and detailed and I never understood how he could possibly build something from nothing but little blocks. I watched him and my other brother build structures from anything! Lincoln Logs, LEGOS, couch cushions, blankets, pillows, rocks, or sticks and I just never understood the physics. I’d try to build something and it would inevitably topple to one side or another. It wouldn’t be until years later, in a middle school math class, that I would realize the error of my childhood building tactics.

My structures lacked a solid foundation: a weight transfer, a weight distribution mechanism, an anchor.

Now take the metaphorical leap with me (that I know you were expecting) and consider life and work. What is the mechanism by which the weight of your day to day stress is distributed evenly?

This entire concept is why I don’t believe in work-life balance in modern America. Sure, some are lucky enough to have control of their schedules in a way that allows them more freedom to work when they want and play when they want but this isn’t the reality for the majority. Most middle to low income citizens are at work, commuting to and from work, or stressing about work for the majority of their waking hours. Where’s the balance in that?

I can't tell you, as a representative of a company, that your job will allow you more "work-life balance" when I know that I plan to pull everything that I can out of you.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of the individual to ensure that they are not made to live a life of which they have have yet to fully live.

Pause.

Take a breath.

Reclaim ownership of your life, your time, and your happiness.

Create your own balance by anchoring yourself in your passions. What gives you life? What refills you when you find yourself feeling empty?

Do that thing!

Maybe you work in a position that is so chaotic that you feel like you're underperforming if you feel "balance." Maybe you believe that the expectations of your work are unattainable in a standard 40 hour work week. Maybe you're right. Either way, it's time to take ownership of your life, your time, and your work.

1. Set boundaries. This requires "managing up" which I will talk about in another blog, but in short, play to the needs of your leader while keeping your needs in mind. When your manager tells you that they need something, let them know that you only have time to complete one more task for the day. Tell them what you're currently working on, what it will take for you to accomplish their new ask, and then ask which item you should prioritize. Most managers are very willing to help you pivot your area of focus to accomplish their #1 need. Don't try to accomplish both tasks at once! Communicate that it's one or the other. You are not a machine.

2. Oh, that's another thing, COMMUNICATE! If you feel that you're getting close to your breaking point and you'll need an afternoon off next week, ask for it. Let your leaders know what you need to be successful. If your company has a strict time-off policy, make sure your request adheres to it and give your manager options. "The policy states that I need to ask at least a week in advance for a day off so I was wondering if I could have either Monday or Friday off at the end of this month so I can refocus." Any manager I know would be happy to help an employee take time if they approached it like this.

3. Exercise your passion. If writing helps you get your creative juices flowing, buy a one minute journal and write every night before you go to bed. If you need to get out into nature to reignite your fire, set aside a morning every week to go for a quick hike or, make it even more attainable, walk around the closest park!

Create your own balance. Balance doesn't always have to mean 50/50. Sometimes it means you spend 80% of your time at work but 20% of your time doing deeply meaningful work to fuel your passion. You'll be surprised at how much energy you can create for yourself by simply allocating your time a bit differently.