Finding the Right Work-Life Balance
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Posted By: Hija Chang on December 09, 2014 Creating a Healthy, Rewarding Life People have debated the concept of "life balance" for decades, and it means something different to everyone. One person might think he's achieved balance when he can leave work early enough to eat dinner with his family. Someone else might view it as having a flexible schedule, so that she can study for a part-time graduate degree. Yet another person might feel fulfilled by spending her "free" time advancing her career. In short, you achieve life balance when you have enough time to pursue both work and personal interests that you love. However, when you feel as if one side of your life is using up too much of your energy, you can become stressed, your productivity can fall, and your personal relationships can become strained. In this article, we'll look at life balance, and how you can find one that works for you. What is Life Balance? The concept of achieving a balance between personal and work lives can be traced back to the late 18th century, when both the U.S. and the U.K. enacted legislation to limit the number of hours that people could be made to work each week. Throughout the 19th century, both countries passed more laws to limit working hours and enforce mandatory leave for certain events, such as childbirth and illness. Life balance gained more prominence in the 1970s, as occupational therapists began to write about the need to distinguish between work and play. The term "work-life balance" became increasingly popular in the 1980s as more women began to enter the workforce. Many women lobbied for support from their organizations during this period, asking for flexible schedules and a shorter working week. Although the concept of work-life balance initially focused on women, it quickly became more inclusive and accounted for the needs of both sexes. Today, work-life balance is an evolving concept but, put simply, it's about achieving the mix of business and personal life that's right for you. We're all unique, and the term "personal life" means something different to everyone: it can include spending time with your friends and family; resting; participating in hobbies; engaging in personal, spiritual or educational development; exercising; or care giving. It can even include your work! Continued: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/wor... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
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