About this Work - Life Balance Thing...
What if work and life aren’t rivals in a tug-of-war… but partners?
I used to chase the elusive idea of "work-life balance.”
I’d carefully allocate hours, set boundaries, and try to keep these two worlds separate. But in spite of my best efforts, the reality is that how I show up at work feeds into how I show up at home - and vice versa.
It made me finally realize what some of the best executives have shared: that instead of work-life balance, I needed to focus on work-life harmony.
My job and my personal life aren’t two completely separate realms - they're deeply interconnected.
When I show up well for my family, I bring that positive energy to work. When I have a fulfilling day at the office, I'm more present at home. Each sphere influences the other in an endless feedback loop.
For me, the key isn't attempting to build impenetrable walls between work and home. It's finding the underlying harmony that makes both fulfilling.
That means prioritizing the things that keep me centered regardless of which hat I'm wearing - getting outdoors, making time for golf, and protecting my mental space.
I've stopped asking myself, "Did I spend exactly the right number of hours at work versus home today?" Instead, I ask: "Am I living in a way that allows me to remain grounded and present under pressure, no matter where I am?"
I choose to measure success by whether or not I’m creating a life where work and home flow together - rather than compete.