By Ronita Neal (Australia)
There has been so much written on the topic of work-life balance. This term seems to have hijacked the national conversation over the last 5 years or so. My question is “what does it mean”? How would I know if I have reached this “mythical” balanced state? Finally “what is the point”?
One of the problems I see in this discussion on work-life balance is that we do not have a good understanding of WHY this topic is important and so it is difficult to know WHAT needs to be done in order to get the good OUTCOMES from paying attention to this area.
From my point of view, our understanding the emphasis on “balance” needs to be much deeper. While the discussion has been about balancing the time or energy we spend on the various aspects of our life (Work, Family, Friends, Spiritual, Health, etc.) we cannot hope to work out what this means for us without understanding WHY. Yes, the final outcome is that we are healthier and happier, but it is the HOW that is important.
Source: iCN Issue 12 (Personal Coaching); pages 35-36
About Ronita Neal
Ronita Neal is currently the President of International Coach Federation Australasia Queensland Branch. Over the last 25 years she worked with an amazing range of people, businesses and organisations in a number of different roles including as a psychologist, consultant, trainer, coach and facilitator. Using a combined framework from the areas of Neuropsychology, Occupational Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, she has devised programs to help Leaders and Workers to be more MindWise in the way they work and manage. This will enable to boost both their personal and their team performance (through improved engagement and productivity) in a sustainable way.
