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Emily Hall, CEO of the strategy consulting

firm Olive Grove recently pointed out that

The fundamental problem with work/life

balance conversations are that they assume
these two things are oppositional. The
starting argument is that work and life are in
conflict with one another.

This is incorrect -- work is life,

and life is defined by our efforts.
This argument assumes that work
makes us fundamentally unhappy,
and only "life" can balance out
that misery. It doesn't have to be
like this.

To find joy in all aspects of life, we

need to start talking about a new
concept.

We can judge ourselves on our ability

to achieve sustainable happiness, not
"work/life balance.

We have one life and we should fill it with

what is most important to us.
We are told to focus on achieving a positive
"work/life balance," but rarely stop to
question if that's what really matters.

"Work/life balance" is an empty goal. It's a

state of equilibrium, but nothing more.
Our focus should not be to balance work with
our life; it should be to design our lives so
that we purposefully do more of what makes
us happy.

Defining Work- life balance.

Meaningful daily achievement and enjoyment in each of the four life quadrants:

Community

SELF

FAMILY

WORK

The domain of the

private self includes
your physical and
emotional health,
intellectual and
personal growth,
leisure, and
religion/spirituality.

The home, or family,

domain can include the
people you live with,
your family of origin
(parents, siblings,
Others
Or your family of
creation (spouse,
significant other,
children, and others).

For most people, this

domain is your job:
what you do for a
living
You can include here
the wide array of
things you do as part
of your career.

Community can mean

friends, neighbors, social
groups, religious
institutions, charitable
activities, political
committees, membership
in nonprofit
organizations,
Or anything that bears
on your impact on the
world beyond your work
and your family.

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