The expression “work-life balance” was first heard in the 70′s to express the relationship between private life and a person’s working life. This concept, which was first used in 1986 in the United States, has increased in importance as the separation of the private and professional sectors of life have continued to grow.
The concept of work and life being distinct and separate from each other is somehow a recent construct, as back in the day, this work/life balance concept was unheard of in the 17th up until most of the 20th centuries. Back then work and life were so integrated in such a way no one would have seen the separation or the difference between what part of farm life, for instance, was life and what portion was work.
In most parts of the world this remains the case, but for developed nations like the US and Japan, these artificial distinctions for work-life balance came into existence to meet the needs of industries where everyone had to be in a particular physical place for specific time frames for things to be made.
Over the past few decades, substantial increases in workload capacity from advances in information technology and a highly competitive work environment have caused burnout and excessive stress for many workers. The stress and overexertion experienced by employees have resulted to decreased productivity, greater absenteeism, workplace violence, and many other adverse effects both for the business and the individual. Which begs the question: Is Work/Life Balance Really Possible?
It is too easy to think our bodies can cope or adapt to an unforgiving and unrelenting schedule, and that striking a balance is unimportant. We all like to think we are indestructible as our egos have taught us. This, however, is sadly not the case. In Japan, what’s even more disturbing is they have actually coined a word for it, ‘karoshi’ meaning ‘death by overwork.’ As the name implies, this is the deadly result for succumbing to long hours and high stress with no let up. Recent figures state around 10,000 Japanese workers a year die from karoshi. The hard work may be a prime suspect, but actually it is the relentless and continuous pressure without let up that poses the danger and kills.
A definition of work-life balance states one should find a mixture of achievement and enjoyment each day in the different quadrants of your life, namely work, family, friends and self. The key is placing priorities on each quadrant, and finding a pattern to balance your priorities. Work-life balance is possible, it is not a myth, you just need to recognize the signs of burnout and stay clear of it by sticking to your priorities and those that really matter to you. If you know what your personal and professional needs are, you can intelligently decide if your workplace is meeting them. When all the puzzle pieces of your life fit together, you will no longer have to juggle and choose so you can be a better friend, parent, employee, and person.
