I recognize that I do not have the proper work/life balance. And since I have been a professional longer than I have been a mom, I find that it’s my child who I am trying to make time for, and not the other way around.
Perhaps it’s my chosen career – you may have noticed that we’re living in a 24-hour news cycle. Perhaps it’s that I am the breadwinner in my household and unable to fantasize about days devoted to mom and baby play because I am hyper-focused on providing for my family.
Regardless, I have to work it out.
A Google search sent me to WorkLifeBalance.com, a Web site that proclaims to be the “leader in dual purpose learning.” They offer programs in leadership, work-life balance, stress management and time management.
Sounds great, but in my effort to achieve balance I’m not looking to invest more time in classes designed to teach me about time management and balance. I want, and need, a quick fix; the life wisdom equivalent of a double shot of espresso.
The lessons are appealing, though, after reading “Work-life balance defined - what it really means,” a note from the publisher Jim Bird.
According to Bird, “Achievement and enjoyment are the front and back of the coin of value in life. You can’t have one without the other, no more than you can have a coin with only one side. Trying to live a one sided life is why so many ‘successful’ people are not happy, or not nearly as happy as they should be.
“You cannot get the full value from life without both achievement and enjoyment. Focusing on achievement and enjoyment every day in life helps you avoid the ‘as soon as trap,’ the life dulling habit of planning on getting around to the joys of life and accomplishment ‘as soon as….’”
Sounds wise. Makes sense. Now I need to work on finding more opportunities for enjoyment each day.
I’m beginning this evening with a fresh cup of coffee and a trip to the grocery store with my daughter. I haven’t seen her all day and she seems to enjoy strolling through the market (I think it’s the bright lights and abundance of flashy packaging).
After the market I plan to make one more stop and get a lottery ticket for tonight. Because as soon as I win the lottery, I’ll no doubt be able to get this whole work/life balance thing figured out.
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