Work-life balance.  Is it really something you need?  Maybe more than you think.  In the new economy we are all adjusting to individual responsibilities that are growing and most organizations are asking everyone to do more than ever before.  A good friend currently holds a job at one of the Detroit 3 auto companies where he and one recent college graduate are doing the work of a department that once included the manager and five people.  He previously worked for a small company and became used to carrying quite a bit of responsibility on his plate.  The other department managers who were there before had to go through quite an adjustment shrinking their teams by one half to two thirds.

At the same time most of these people have families and personal lives that existed before and, hopefully, will continue to be a part of them.  What happened to this other half of their work-life pairing?  Did it suffer a reduction in attention as their work duties were expanded?  It is very likely that it did.  Some would argue that they should all be thankful that they are still employed.  Who can argue with that?  Nevertheless we are all human.  The work-life pairing continues to exist.  What, if anything, can be done to find a balance?

This issue must be dealt with at all levels of an organization.  Recently the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) published results of a survey of 800 senior executives.  The results showed that 55% of the senior executives surveyed did not feel that they had a work-life balance.  Further, they responded that 82% of their companies did not have a program to assist them with a work-life balance.  Clearly, there is pressure at all levels of most organizations on both sides of the work-life pairing.

With electronic communications what they are a busy executive can be engaged in work related activities 24/7.  People are under constant pressure from families to be engaged with them as well.  Only distance can mitigate this.  However, even families have their electronic tethers (texting, etc.) that help them to try to keep engaged.  What is to be done to manage a balance in the work-life scenario? 

Whether consciously or unconsciously people must make choices about their priorities.  Some manage to do it without difficulty.  Some do not.  It is through understanding their goals, both personal and professional, that people can better manage how they choose to maintain a suitable balance.

A personal coach can help you with sorting this all out.  Finding an independent connection who will help you think through your challenges, clearly define your strengths, your goals and  your priorities can be an effective way to discover where your work-life balance can use some adjustment.  Your work-life balance may or may not be of a concern to you.  Regardless, it is a factor in your life.  Would it not be better to manage this part of your life?  Your work and your life will be the better for it.