Work-Life Balance

Work gives you meaning and purpose. Life is empty without it

Work and life can not be 2 different things. Work is the flow of our life. We have 24 hours a day and we spend 12 hours at work. So, it is an important aspect of our life. Without work, we can not live.

About work-life balance, people have an approach as — do not receive official phone calls after you leave office. Or you should leave the office sharp at 6 pm.

I am implementing lean at my workplace and the aim is to reduce extra work and get things done in the said time. BUT to implement that, I need to work after my office hours and contribute in many forms. The aim of lean is to increase efficiency so that people don’t have to work extra. This does not mean that when required they should not reply after office hours. And when I work for extra hours to reduce other’s working time, it helps me grow and defines my personality. It is a one-time job. Next time, to work extra hours, the assignment would be different and growth would also be different.

Yes, I have a personal life, and I do take breaks and spend quality time with my friends and family. BUT I miss attending many events as well, because of work priority. And I do have to take calls in the middle of chatting. Having said that, I do take calls from my friends and family daily during my office hours. I do postpone preparing a report if I get a call from an old school friend.

So, I believe we already balance things and do not need to cautiously think about it.

Most people are known by what they work professionally and not by what they do in their personal lives. And they also claim that a particular profession or particular work environment has made their personality. Because they were in a particular organization, their life changed. What I am doing today, defines my personality. This defines my life. Work is the flow of our life.

In today’s scenario, we change our job so often that we do not have affection towards our work organization. This makes us differentiate between the workplace and home. I guess.

I have worked with such people who have worked for 24 hours, 48 hours, or sometimes even 72 hours continuously. While doing so, we never minded to cooperate and sleep on chairs, quality lab tables, conference room tables, or just an office floor, etc. I have experienced 24 hours shifts quite a few times. And after completing so, no one complained about it or the organization. We left home with a gentle smile only, with the satisfaction of completing the work.

I do not support working in a tense atmosphere. BUT the target-oriented and healthy atmosphere is what I would support.

For me, the balance would mean keeping your mind healthy. Work with dedication, planning, and not mental pressure which would have adverse effects. BUT do not work with an attitude of 9 to 5 job. You must improve your time management to complete the work in said time. BUT attitude or approach to not work after office hours is what worries me. That would not define your personality to be worth being an idol for someone. Work is the flow of life and you should justify the same.

Modiji has to work for the whole day, doctors have to answer their phone 24x7, Ratan Tata or Ambani’s or Mark Zuckerberg’s schedule might also be 18 hours a day, and so on. So, if you wish to be someone like them, then do answer official calls after office hours. Else, it would be your flow of life, and you must enjoy it.

I have even experienced that, as you dedicate your time at the office, slowly the office becomes your extended family. As you learn to enjoy the work, life becomes fun. Enjoy the flow and keep growing.