The surprising truth about work-life balance
By Phil Slade
My grandfather was the local preacher, a wheat and sheep farmer, a father and a great granddad.
He held no 'work hours'; he just did what needed to be done for the farm, the church and at home, and tried to enjoy every moment of the journey.
The concept of work-life balance would always raise a confused look. He didn't consider there to be such a split. He just had life balance.
Family, friends and resource generation were completely intertwined. Good balance was when all these things were going well and bad balance was when they weren't.
One of these things going adrift simply indicated that he needed to focus on getting it back on track. It has been this way for most of human existence.
How we messed up the balance
However, in subsequent generations, we seem to have messed up this simple approach to life.
Maybe it was the fact that the 'desk jobs' became more bureaucratised, less connected to the community they were serving.
Maybe it was the increasingly hedonistic focus of society. Maybe it was the transition from working in small communities to large cities, where there were offices and workplace expectations that took us away from home.
Whatever the reason, somewhere in the '60s or '70s, the concepts of work and life as separate domains became entrenched, with work seen as a grinding necessity to fund life's expenses.
However, recent thinking seems to be shifting back to my grandfather's age-old approach, where work can and should be a source of personal fulfilment and meaning.
Where work is a part of life, not separate from it. An energising experience rather than merely subsistence.
What I tell my children
I have two boys in their early 20s just now entering the workforce.
When discussing work opportunities with them, am I saying, "Just get whatever you can, make sure you only stay for the minimum amount of time possible, and spend your earnings on ways to make yourself feel better about the meaningless work you are doing?"
Of course not.
I say things like, "Experience different jobs, apply yourself and find something that fits the big three criteria: Do what you enjoy, what you can be the best in the world at and that makes the world better."
Fortunately for me, research backs up this approach, suggesting that integrating work with life rather than viewing them as opposing forces can lead to longer, happier and more meaningful lives.
What we learned from The Nun Study
A good example of this research comes from a renowned study of nuns in New York.
Initiated by Dr David Snowdon in 1986, the Nun Study has provided invaluable insights into ageing and Alzheimer's disease.
The study involves 678 Catholic nuns from the School Sisters of Notre Dame in New York, who underwent extensive cognitive and physical assessments throughout their lives.
One of the key findings is the correlation between a positive outlook, meaningful work, strong social connections and longevity. The nuns with a positive emotional disposition toward these things lived longer and maintained better cognitive health.
I think we intuitively know this, which is why we prefer a work environment that fosters a sense of community and purpose.
Why we need to find purpose
When work environments do this well, we experience an enhanced sense of wellbeing.
And it's not just the new generation rediscovering this approach. As people age, the desire to engage in work that is meaningful and energising becomes more pronounced.
It's not just about finding a job that pays the bills, but about pursuing work that aligns with personal values and passions.
The artificial separation between work and life is disappearing, and people want a more fulfilling existence irrespective of activity. Work is not just a means to an end, but an integral part of a meaningful life.
Companies that recognise this shift are creating environments that foster personal growth and fulfilment. Flexible work arrangements, opportunities for continuous learning and a culture of appreciation and recognition are all examples of this.
It is my view that the integration of work and life is not just a modern trend, but a return to the way it was, a realignment to the way humans have evolved - a pathway to a longer, happier and more meaningful life.
By recognising that work can energise and fulfil us, we enhance our mental and emotional wellbeing - much like the nuns of Notre Dame.
As we move away from the dichotomy of work and life, we open ourselves to a more holistic and fulfilling existence.
After all, the point of living longer is to live better, and meaningful work is a crucial component of that journey. Find energy, meaning and fulfilment in everything we do, and with everyone we're with.
Now that's a balanced life worth living.
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