Work-life balance has probably been one of the most written-about subjects in recent years. Why? The way we work and live has changed and while in theory we should have more time thanks to the new technology solutions, but in reality we seem to have even less of it – also because we are connected to work 24/7 via emails and phones. If you are ambitious and looking for professional fulfillment it’s very easy to fall into a trap of spending long hours at work and having no time and energy for your personal life, family or hobbies. You can say it’s a matter of personal choice, but it’s often hard to tell where is the line. And as it happens in real life, if you loose balance you are going to fall – either by being too tired to be productive at work, having issues with your health or relationships or a combination of all. So how to make the work-life balance work?
“Never work for a company that says people are its most important asset”
An ironic remark from “Office Politics” by Guy Browing probably shouldn’t be taken too seriously, but it brings up an important point that a lot depends on where you work. There are still many companies where working for long hours is an unquestionable standard, even though the research clearly shows that it’s neither effective or productive. Luckily for us the number of employers embracing culture of work-life balance and offering flexible working hours and numerous benefits is increasing. How to find out if the company you are applying to is the right one? There are many rankings out there, like the one run by Forbes recognizing companies from a variety of industries for creating the best work-life balance environment – you can check out the latest one here.
Your role
Finding the right employer is just the beginning of the journey towards the work-life balance and no matter where you work, you have to manage it yourself. How to do it? Some experts suggest it’s about prioritizing your tasks and finding smarter ways of working, other advise to manage your energy rather than time (“Manage your energy not your time”, Tony Schwartz, HBR). Get inspired by TED Talks – watch playlist “Work smarter” here.
If you want to find out more, join us at the next TEDxKraków Cinema event on Tuesday 4th of November at Pauza In Garden.
The meeting will be hosted by Agata and Marek, TEDxKraków Team members and well-known workaholics.