Two months ago, I volunteered to write about work-life balance. Then the COVID-19 bomb went off and I wondered, does it make sense to write about balance amid chaos? Absolutely!
The internet is laden with articles about how to achieve balance, with many suggesting we can simply compartmentalize work and non-work into boxes and respond equally to the demands of each.
Am I the only one who thinks this is absurd? Work and home (or life) responsibilities consistently mingle, and often the demands in one area far outweigh those of the other. And then there are the life events like COVID-19 that smash balance to bits.
So, what can we do about it?
You Can Dance if You Want To
First, let’s let go of the idea that establishing work-life balance is a linear process. It’s more like a dance between the two. If you’re careful about setting and maintaining boundaries, you may have better luck at choosing which one gets to take the lead—sometimes work leads the quickstep, sometimes life leads the tango. Sometimes they just bob up and down near one another to essentially the same beat. When we can acknowledge life isn’t about achieving some elusive ideal, we may find solutions that fit our individual needs (and dance abilities).
The Groove Is in Your Heart
Second, acknowledge we’re not all going to dance like Beyoncé or Baryshnikov—we each have different work-life circumstances. Some of us hate our jobs, which creates serious challenges for our groove. For others, work is our groove, and we sacrifice almost everything in its pursuit. Wherever we fall on that spectrum, we may also have relationships, childcare, eldercare, and our own health issues competing for attention.
From management’s perspective, if we could all synchronize our dance like a Rockettes’ kick-line, that would be great… But if the current health crisis has shown us nothing else, it’s time to recognize humans don’t function well in lock-step. Work-related stress leads to depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. Going forward, we have the opportunity to change up our routine.
You Should Be Dancin’ (Yeah)
Acknowledge that right now may not be optimal for seeking a dream job, but it could be—or if not now, it may be soon. Now that we’ve been forced to integrate our lives with our work differently, what do you want to keep from the experience? This is the point where we should imagine ourselves starring in Swan Lake or dancing back-up for JLo. If you want to upgrade or completely change your career path, spend some time considering what you need and what you want when it comes to your work and your life.
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
While staying at home during this global crisis—or even going out to your job with fewer people out—what silver linings did you discover? What changes can you ask for as you go back to work or seek new work? Maybe you want to work from home more; maybe you want more flexible hours so you can interact with family members or pursue a new hobby. It can’t hurt to ask, and if it’s not possible, consider other companies that might fit better with your needs. Prepare to offer any special insights you acquired during shutdown that will help make your case to current or future employers.
Moves Like Jagger
Trying to keep work and life in balance will always challenge us. What checks and balances will you build into your daily routine to help you get and stay happier? What certifications, education, experience, or volunteer work might open pathways to more satisfying work that will help make your life more satisfying too?
I Hope You Dance
Yes, your world has been turned upside down. You may feel like you’re doing the Monster Mash or an interpretive piece just to get through the day. But remember, chaos presents a great opportunity to step off the dance floor and analyze your moves, maybe choose a new step or two. The important part is to start moving, no matter what fears we all face about the future.
Save the Last Dance for Me
As you spend some time considering your next moves, take advantage of Gillespie Associates’ leadership and development materials available online here.