Why work-life balance is a myth
The concept of work-life balance sounds great in theory, but it’s incredibly hard to pull off. We try to divide our time evenly between work, family, friends, and community, but by the end of the week, we’re exhausted and drained.
Think about it: If you’re working 40 to 60 hours a week and spending another 40 to 60 hours on family, community, your partner, and so on, you’ll soon realize there just aren’t enough hours in the week to do everything and still have time for yourself. The math doesn’t add up.
It’s clear that the idea of work-life balance, suggesting that everything is equally important, doesn’t really match the reality of working parents. And if you’re the default parent, chances are you’re also experiencing parental bias.
Which means, it’s up to you to define your own strategy to avoid overwhelm. So, what’s the alternative? Consider work-life calibration instead.
Calibration over equilibrium
Calibration involves adapting to life’s changes by staying true to what matters most to you. Each day, you adjust your decisions to fit the shifting demands and limitations of your situation. Essentially, it’s about making your schedule and goals work for you, not the other way around.
How can you calibrate effectively? It all starts with your self-identity – a complex blend of beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and past experiences that influence your perception of yourself and the world around you.
Calibration: Follow your North Star
Your self-perception is your North Star for calibrating effectively. If it doesn’t align with your idea of success, calibration can be difficult. To realign, identify and challenge limiting beliefs. Your thoughts influence your feelings which drive your behaviours and shape outcomes.
Calibration involves consistently reaffirming and aligning with your goals and values, making it easier to navigate all your competing priorities. You can’t do it all, but you can do what matters most to you – which is everything!