Some people make it look easy to have a successful work-life balance. But no matter what you have heard, it is not an easy task, and that is okay.
No matter what you may have heard, it is a struggle to find work-life balance.
A few years ago, Sheryl Sandberg wrote a book called, “Lean In” where among other things women were told that if they “leaned in” they could have everything they wanted at work and home. Ms. Sandberg, who spoke from a position of extreme privilege and a great deal of wealth. Yet, there exists another world. A world where women work because they need the money it has nothing to do with personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
When you work because you need the money to take care of yourself and your family you put up with things you may not put up with if you were working for the joy of it or personal satisfaction. When you are working for the money, you may put up with hours you do not like. When you are working for the money, you may allow some indignities to slide, because you need a paycheck. When you are working for the money, you may miss your children’s field trips, recitals, and school plays. When you are working for the money, you know that sometimes work will come before your family. You may not like that fact, but it is a fact.
In the real world, where most people live, the work-life balance thing is a struggle. It is hard to do everything you want to do for your family and keep your boss happy at the same time. If you do not have a full-time nanny at home and an assistant at work, it is not easy to switch back and forth between the two roles at the drop of a hat. In the real world where most people live, the struggle to balance work and life is real. You must accept the fact that because it is a struggle, sometimes you will get it wrong.
To read more about work/life balance, check out the following:
Work Life Balance – Learn New Tricks – It is fantastic to know there is always something new to learn to in the work-life balance battle. Click here to read more.
or
Avoid Excess and Learn to Balance Work and Home – I am a woman who works at home and know it is very easy to slip into working during all my waking hours. Click here to read more.
Also, check out our Confidence Tip of the Day YouTube channel for hundreds of videos on creating the confidence you need to succeed.
There will be days when you take time off from work in order to spend time with your family and projects at work fall apart in your absence. There will be days when you tell your children that you will not be able to accompany them on a school field trip. That will be the day that your children are bullied at school, forget their lunch, and have one of the worst days in their young lives because you were not around to save the day. It is a struggle to balance work and life. The struggle is real.
As you struggle to find a balance between your work and your life, when, not if, but when you mess up, show yourself some grace. When things go wrong, terribly wrong, show yourself good friendship, forgive yourself, and move forward. Do the best you can in all things, and when your best is not good enough, show yourself mercy. Apologize where you can, fix what you can, and move forward with as much dignity and grace as you have within you.
Recognize that the work-life struggle is real and that sometimes you will get it wrong. So the question for you this fantastic day is, how do you show yourself grace when the work-life balance struggle becomes too much?
I am single yet sometimes I still find it hard to have a work like balance. I am trying my best to have it and of course wishing that when the time comes I got married, I will be able to practice work life balance especially when I already have kids. We should have our quality time.
I was a single mom when my older kids were little. Whenever, they were sick, had dr appointments, or other important things going on, it was all on my shoulders. With companies in today’s workplace, I’m hoping more employers will see the benefits of allowing employees to work from home whenever possible. This will give moms and dads the flexibility to take care of their home life without taking time off.
Yes it is not that easy to balance the work and life. I work with my blog now. so taking care of kids are also possible.
Oh yes! It’s not easy at all. I think you can’t have it both at 100%. It’s always a choice!
As a working mom I know how hard finding this balance can be, great tips
Great tips! Especially with many of us working from home it’s so important that we maintain proper work life balance
It’s actually really hard to find a work specially in this pandemic going on. I’m not finding a job just yet but finding a work at first is very hard. You need to be flexible and have lots of patience.
Finding a work-life balance in real life is a constant struggle, and there is nothing like a perfect work-life balance.
So so true. It’s a fact that we can’t escape. So sad.
I agree. It’s maybe achievable for some but for many. I don’t think so.
This is a common discussion between my husband and I. We are both hard workers and very passionate about what we do. Finding that balance is tricky and ever changing!