The concept of work-life balance has been around for a long time. While it has been a topic of discussion for quite some time, the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to the forefront as lockdowns, remote working and hybrid working models became a norm. The pandemic made it difficult for employees to balance their work and personal lives due to the tech invasion and remote work. Some studies conducted around the world showed that most people had not improved their work–life balance during the emergency situation, even though they were able to spend more time with their families and did have to spend time to get to the workplace.
The rise of work-life harmony
In the post-pandemic, the idea of work-life harmony has started gaining traction as a more apt way of integrating our work life with our home life. Work-life harmony is about aligning your passion with your profession and weaving together the different aspects of your life, and it is achieved by focusing on what needs to be done today, taking breaks, and building a tribe of people who can help get things done.
This is different from work-life balance which treats work and life as separate entities that need to be balanced against each other. Achieving work-life harmony involves being present, setting priorities, and enjoying what you do, and it can lead to improved health, reduced stress and burnout, increased happiness, and productivity.
While the concept of work-life harmony is relatively new, it has already sparked a debate about its benefits and drawbacks. Some argue that work-life harmony is simply a new buzzword for work-life balance, while others believe that it represents a fundamental shift in the way we think about work and personal life.
The benefits of work-life harmony
Work-life harmony offers several benefits over work-life balance. One of the main benefits is that it allows people to integrate their work into the rest of their life in a way that promotes happiness and wellbeing. This means that work is not seen as something that is separate from the rest of life, but rather as something that is a part of into it.
Another benefit of work-life harmony is that it can lead to greater job satisfaction and productivity. When people can integrate their work into the rest of their life, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and engaged in their work. This can lead to higher productivity and better performance.
Finally, work-life harmony can also lead to better relationships with family and friends. When people are able to spend time with their loved ones while also pursuing their career goals, they are more likely to feel connected and supported, which can help to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.
The challenges of work-life harmony
Work-life harmony does present several challenges, though. One of the main challenges is that it can be difficult to marry your work to the rest of your life in a harmonious way. This is especially true for people who work in industries where the demands of the job are high and there is little room for flexibility.
Another challenge of work-life harmony is that it can be difficult to know when to switch off from work and focus on other things, for example in the case of people who work from home or those who are on a flexible schedule, as the lines between work and personal life can become blurred.
Achieving and maintaining work-life harmony
Some strategies for achieving work-life harmony include setting realistic goals, prioritising activities that are important to you, and learning to manage time effectively. It can also be helpful to communicate with colleagues and family members about your goals and priorities, so that everyone is on the same page.
Some other tips in maintaining work-life harmony include setting boundaries between you work and personal life, prioritising activities that are important to you, learning to say “no” to activities that don’t align with your priorities; taking breaks throughout the day to recharge and rejuvenate; and communicate with colleagues and family members about your goals and priorities.
Life is too short to be stressing out about work. While it takes effort and commitment to achieving work-life harmony, the rewards would come in the form of peace of mind and better overall wellbeing.
By Melissa Norman, Founder and Managing Director of Aisling Group
