"You have to make sure you have a good work-life balance, though!" is advice you're bombarded with in the working world.
But is that balance achievable? Because honestly, when is it really balanced?
Work-life balance is often defined as a clear distinction between your professional and personal life. The idea is that you have time where you are your "working self," and time where you do other things. This balance is said to be good for your health, job satisfaction, relationships and general mood.
But let's face it: are work and home really two completely separate worlds?
Lead the life you love and build a thriving business that supports your freedom lifestyle.
I don't believe in a perfect work-life balance. Rather, I advocate integration - a healthy mix of your work and personal life.
Why? Because life is not a static thing. Change is the only constant, both in your personal life and in the business world.
Consider the ongoing developments in:
👉 The market that is constantly changing
👉 The ever-evolving needs of your customers
👉 Your own personal and professional growth
👉 The dynamics within your circle of family and friends
Pursuing a rigid balance in this ever-changing environment can be exhausting. That's why I favor a flexible approach: The Life-Work integration. And that is different for everyone and it changes over time - to your changing circumstances and needs.
I love the flexible approach, where work and home naturally merge: My perfect Life-Work integration.
Because often my most brilliant ideas and solutions arise during a walk in nature. So is this work or private? Frankly, that doesn't matter to me. What matters is that I create a life and a business that suits me, on my own terms.
The essence lies in leading a valuable, healthy and limitless existence. By focusing on what is truly important - both in your personal life and in your business - you channel your energy in the most effective way. In this way, you not only make the best use of your time, but also create the greatest impact.
How leaders can create work-life integration for themselves
Today's work environment and culture can be demanding, especially for leaders and startup founders who are tempted by the hustle culture. With long work hours and constant deadlines, it's easy to get consumed by your work. Which leaves you lived and limited by time.
How can you free yourself up more in your business and keep control of your schedule? Not be limited by time or energy drain?
Here are a few tips that can help you create good work-life integration for yourself:
Manage your energy over your time
Spend your time and energy on those things that really matter. And let your energy prevail there. Based on your energy management, map out what costs you energy and what gives you energy.
Read more about it in my blog: Save time by understanding your energy distribution
Ignore your guilt or perfectionism
As a leader, you often fall into the guilt of not being able to work on certain things or take time for yourself. You need to understand that always working on things only leads to burnout and that it is good to give yourself some space every now and then. Self-care is essential to keeping your mental and physical energy high and performing successfully.
Read more about it in my Empowered Letters: Using perfectionism as your strength
Create a perfectly repeatable week
Start looking for the perfect weekly routine where you combine both your personal and work schedules. Start scheduling those appointments that are non-negotiable for you. And that you schedule at set times each week (exercise, meet up with friends...). And also your work based on your energy level. For example in the mornings no appointments, but blocks for deep work, in the afternoons blocks for appointments, clients.
Prioritize and delegate your work
It is necessary to prioritize and delegate tasks to remain leaders and leading. This helps you focus on essential tasks and free up your personal time for other activities. What are the essentials? And what are the profitable priorities and activities. In other words, what do you want to spend your time and energy on to lead your life and a successful growing business?
This alone is not enough. For you yourself as well as your needs and circumstances change over time. For who you were when you entered work life just after college, you are no longer that person. You have grown personally, professionally and financially. And your needs have also changed over time as have your living and working conditions. But where you are now, is your current BEING, with what you DO and what you are here to do, the IMPACT you want to make?
Or do you have to change your position to live and do business on your terms again, with your full potential, passion and purpose?
Change to live and work with your full potential, passion and purpose
Imagine doing work that energizes you. Work that matches who you are, your talents and your values. Would you still be so focused on separating work from home?
"Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life."
This famous quote hits the core for me. Of course, not every day is a celebration with me either, but now in my own business I know, when you are doing work that you are good at and energized by:
- Doesn't matter if you close your laptop at 5 p.m. or 5:15 p.m., or open it for a while on the weekend.
- Do I not schedule all my vacation days for the whole year already in early January and buy additional vacation days.
- Looking forward to Monday morning instead of looking forward to it
- Get pleasure, challenge, satisfaction and meaning from my work
Self-reflection: how do you feel about your work?
Take a moment to check with yourself:
- What do you feel when you think of "work"?
- Does it energize you or exhaust you?
- Are you really doing what you're bang on about?
- Do you find challenge and satisfaction in what you do?
If you find that "work" evokes mostly negative associations, it's time for change. Not in your work-life balance, but in your approach to work itself. Are you still in the right place, and is it time to take a new step, or move in a different direction?
Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these points?
- You see work primarily as a way to earn money
- You feel out of place among colleagues
- You lack appreciation and positive energy
- Your work does not challenge you or stimulate your creativity
- You seek more meaning in your work
- You experience bore-out or just constant overwork
To me, these are signs of a disturbed work-life balance. Certainly not the circumstances and the way you want to integrate your life and work right?
How do you create a change?
Feeling fulfilled, job satisfaction and meaning are not something you suddenly experience; it takes time and space. It starts with dwelling on what is there now, where you are and where you want to grow. Ask yourself, "Where will I be in 3 years?"
To initiate this transformation, consider the following steps:
- Know yourself: What are your unique qualities? What makes you happy? What gives you energy?
- Evaluate your current situation: Make a list of aspects in both your life and work that you like and don't like. Be honest with yourself.
- Visualize your ideal future: What does your perfect work-life integration look like? Be specific and dare to dream big.
- Identify the gap: What is the difference between where you are now and where you want to be? What steps are needed to bridge that gap?
- Create an action plan: Determine concrete, achievable steps you can take to get closer to your goal.
- Find support: Surround yourself with people who support you in your growth. Consider a mentor or coach who can guide you.
- Stay flexible: Be prepared to adjust your plan as circumstances change.
- Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge and celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. Dwell on where you are already and what you have accomplished. See the value of that and that it has already brought you this far. And ... there are so many new opportunities and possibilities to come.
It's time to start living. To live the life where everything you do - whether "work" or "personal" - is in alignment with who you are and where you want to go.
One Life.
Lead it.
Live it.
Have a great week,
Gerdi
Strategically smart business and living on your own terms,
so you can spend your time and energy on those things that matter.
Whenever you are ready:
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PS: Have questions, would you like to speak to me in person? Send me an email (info@gerdihulsink.nl), or schedule an interview with me.
Book tips:
Books that have helped me:
Health: Mental, Mindset, Psychology & Personal Growth
Growing pains - Ray Klaassens
The 8th Habit - Stephen R. Covey
Thinking Fast & Slow - Daniel Kahneman
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
Influence - Robert B Cialdini
PS. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite books list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list. Sharing = multiplying.
As Leader of Your Future = Living and Entrepreneurship on Your Own Terms
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