For what I think is a good perspective on work-life balance for one self-employed leader, I suggest you read Tim Grey's post. His might be the case of having your cake and eating it too.
The post caught my attention because I spent today writing at Gull Lake Park overlooking a perfect summer's day shimmering lake in beautiful Gravenhurst. I was able to turn out a lot of work, soak in the gorgeous day and feel reinvigorated at the same time.
Some of us who are self-employed do get this type of little perk from time to time. As Tim points out, we often work the long hours to earn it.
Enjoy your summer.
Showing posts with label Life-Work Balance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life-Work Balance. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Work-Life Balance - An Examination
Work-life balance is on the minds of the Lattice Group, who describe themselves as a grassroots campaign to get young people to consider the issues of work-life conflicts in their own lives. Considering these are the men and women who are our emerging leaders, their voice is welcome and fresh in the discussion of work-life balance.
They have produced an excellent overview, well worth the read. They lay out the problem as such:
The current work-life model is organized around an ideal worker with immunity from family life and personal commitments. Individuals who exercise their family and personal responsibilities often cannot perform as ideal workers and suffer marginalization in the workforce as a result. Difficulty reconciling work and family life minimizes men’s involvement in family life and women’s opportunities for career advancement. Currently, the United States offers some of the least generous work-life policies of any developed nation.
After further laying out their premise, the authors then go on to examine three predominate views of balance and what proponents of these views have to say.
The Lattice Group provides an examination of the issues that will make you think ... great background material for further discussion around both the boardroom and the diningroom table.
They have produced an excellent overview, well worth the read. They lay out the problem as such:
The current work-life model is organized around an ideal worker with immunity from family life and personal commitments. Individuals who exercise their family and personal responsibilities often cannot perform as ideal workers and suffer marginalization in the workforce as a result. Difficulty reconciling work and family life minimizes men’s involvement in family life and women’s opportunities for career advancement. Currently, the United States offers some of the least generous work-life policies of any developed nation.
After further laying out their premise, the authors then go on to examine three predominate views of balance and what proponents of these views have to say.
- Balance is Unrealistic.
- Balance is Good for Business.
- Balance is a Social Responsibility.
The Lattice Group provides an examination of the issues that will make you think ... great background material for further discussion around both the boardroom and the diningroom table.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Female Executives, Strong Companies and Family Balance
During this week's Corporate Voices for Working Families conference, Michelle Obama shared that when she was an executive she endeavored to provide flexibility for her employees. That flexibility translated into greater productivity and loyalty.
"I found that as I've managed staff, the more flexibility and opportunities that I gave them to be good parents, the more commitment that they made to working with me, the less likely they were to leave because they wouldn't find the same sort of situation somewhere else,"
We can talk a lot about life-work balance. But the First Lady has hit the nail on the head. People are concerned about their families. Years ago balance was achieved by a parent being at home. That ability to choose seems to have largely evaporated today.
Full Washington Post article,
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/05/07/work-life_balance_a_challenge.html
What's interesting about her remarks is the connection she makes between strong families and strong companies. Companies endeavoring to provide flexibility engender greater employee commitment. That's good for the company and produces higher productivity and improved retention. It probably seems counter-intuitive to most of today's businesses.
As Michelle Obama says, "So this isn't just about family balance. This is about making work places stronger and more effective, and keeping and attracting the most qualified people."
Seems there are benefits all around in caring about people.
"I found that as I've managed staff, the more flexibility and opportunities that I gave them to be good parents, the more commitment that they made to working with me, the less likely they were to leave because they wouldn't find the same sort of situation somewhere else,"
We can talk a lot about life-work balance. But the First Lady has hit the nail on the head. People are concerned about their families. Years ago balance was achieved by a parent being at home. That ability to choose seems to have largely evaporated today.
Full Washington Post article,
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/05/07/work-life_balance_a_challenge.html
What's interesting about her remarks is the connection she makes between strong families and strong companies. Companies endeavoring to provide flexibility engender greater employee commitment. That's good for the company and produces higher productivity and improved retention. It probably seems counter-intuitive to most of today's businesses.
As Michelle Obama says, "So this isn't just about family balance. This is about making work places stronger and more effective, and keeping and attracting the most qualified people."
Seems there are benefits all around in caring about people.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Life-Work Balance
Achieving life-work balance is a challenge for a lot of leaders today. In his article, "Top 10 Ways to Balance Life and Work", Wayne Parker discusses:
His article can be read at:
http://fatherhood.about.com/od/workingfathers/tp/balance_ideas.htm
By being intentional, many of these strategies can be implemented relatively quickly. If you are looking for some solid work life balance activities as you examine and adjust your own life, you will appreciate this.
- Pacing yourself
- Saying 'no' to the unimportant
- Health and wellness tips
- Getting a check-up
- Saying 'no' to being a workaholic
- Simplifying your life
- Finding a family friendly workplace
- Eating together
- Joining a Father's support group
- Having a family night
His article can be read at:
http://fatherhood.about.com/od/workingfathers/tp/balance_ideas.htm
By being intentional, many of these strategies can be implemented relatively quickly. If you are looking for some solid work life balance activities as you examine and adjust your own life, you will appreciate this.
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