When I worked as an executive, I often found the concept of ‘work-life balance’ to be abstract and mostly unachievable. It was something people talked about but nearly everyone I knew lacked it. As an executive leader, the pressures of the job can be immense. We are expected to deliver strategic vision, make critical and often rapid decisions with little to no information, and have to constantly adapt to changing circumstances.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, it also seems that the lines between work and home are further blurred with executives working round the clock with no boundaries set to recharge or rest. The notion of any ‘balance’ in this situation almost seemed mythical to me. Is achieving work-life balance actually achievable or just an urban myth? In this blog, I explore whether you can in fact achieve a balance between the professional and the personal and what that might look like if it was not just a myth.
Understanding Work-Life Balance
On one hand, I believe work-life balance is a fallacy. I prefer to refer to this concept as work-life synergy or integration. It is not reasonable to do everything at once or for everything to be in balance at all times. This concept requires us to look at where we can achieve more flow and less resistance in our daily lives. Achieving some semblance of equilibrium can lead to improved mental health, increased productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
On the other hand, failing to successfully integrate one’s work and personal life can result in burnout, strained relationships, and diminished effectiveness. My own burnout story validates and suggests that not only is it achievable, but seeking out ways to better harmonize work and home life is the way to gaining a broader sense of personal and professional well-being.
So, how does one do this? Here is your guide to help lead you to a path of wellness rather than burnout. These are activities I took on in my role as an executive and in my recovery from burnout.
Prioritize and Delegate
Identify Core Priorities: Understanding what truly matters to you is the first step. Distinguish between urgent tasks and important ones. Focus on activities that align with your core goals and values, both at work and at home.
Delegate Effectively: Leadership requires you to trust first. So, trust your team. Delegating tasks not only empowers your employees but also frees up your time for strategic thinking and personal pursuits. Ensure that delegation comes with clear instructions, training and support, enabling your team to succeed.
Set Boundaries
Define Work Hours: Establish clear work hours and stick to them. While occasional late nights are inevitable, consistently working beyond your set hours can erode your personal rest and recovery time. Communicate your availability to your team and adhere to it. Set the example.
Disconnect Digitally: In today’s connected world, it’s easy to stay plugged in 24/7. Set boundaries for checking emails and messages. Designate “no-work” zones or times, such as during family meals or personal hobbies.
Foster a Supportive Work Environment
Promote Flexibility: Encourage a culture of flexibility within your organization. Flexible work hours and remote working options can significantly enhance work-life harmony for you and your team. Focus on the deliverables that matter and provide flexibility on how these are delivered.
Lead by Example: Your actions set the tone for the organization. Demonstrating a commitment to work-life balance encourages your employees to do the same. Show that it’s acceptable to take breaks, use vacation time, and disconnect after hours.
Invest in Personal Development
Time Management Skills: Effective time management can dramatically improve your work-life integration. Utilize tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to organize your tasks and deadlines efficiently.
Continuous Learning: Invest in learning opportunities that enhance both your professional and personal skills. Courses on leadership, mindfulness, and stress management can provide valuable insights and techniques for maintaining balance. Consider hiring an executive coach who can complete assessments, support your progress, be a strategic partner and challenge your assumptions.
Practice Self-Care
Physical Health: This was one of the first things to go when I was busy or stressed. As a result, my physical health began to decline with weight gain (that I am still recovering from) and an increase in my blood pressure. It is vital that you try to include some sort of regular exercise, try to eat a balanced diet, and most importantly, get adequate sleep as they are fundamental to maintaining energy levels and reducing stress.
Mental Health & Wellness: Mental well-being is just as crucial. Engage in activities that help you unwind, such as meditation, reading, or hobbies. Consider seeking professional support, like therapy or coaching, to navigate stress and personal challenges. For me engaging in HeartBreath™ therapy enabled me to use my breath and connection to the heart to somatically release stress and tension from my mind and body.
Ditch the Alcohol (and other numbing agents): Drinking had become the norm for me. It went from one glass to two to a bottle over the course of 18 months. I began to struggle with liver discomforts, was not sleeping well and I knew that if I didn’t stop, I would cross the addiction line. Alcohol may numb but it also depresses. When you are already struggling with mental fitness and health, adding a depressant to the equation will not help you. I gave up alcohol (and remained alcohol-free for the most part) and began to reverse the damage and found my mood and energy levels began to improve.
Mind-Body Connection: Connecting with our somatic selves is imperative to a holistic approach to wellness. As executives, we work out of our brains – A LOT – and often neglect the connection and impact of our thoughts on our bodies. Our bodies, specifically our hearts, hold memory and have their own intelligence. We can tap into that through breath and connection to our hearts. Therefore, taking 15 minutes a day to connect to my body was an important part of my recovery from burnout. I have an audio file for you to support you in this endeavor. Download that here to enable this mind-body connection daily!
Strengthen Personal Relationships
Quality Time: Dedicate quality time to your family and friends. Be present during these moments, putting away work-related distractions. Meaningful interactions with loved ones provide emotional support and enhance overall happiness. This means establishing – and honoring – boundaries that you set around your work and home life.
Communicate Openly: Open communication with your family about your work commitments and pressures can foster understanding and support. Similarly, discussing your personal needs with your team can help them accommodate your balanced efforts. It is important to model the way of this.
Learn to Say No
Set Limits: This one is HARD for the driven executive. I struggled with this early on. It is important to recognize your limits and be willing to say no to additional commitments that threaten your balance. It’s better to decline or defer tasks than to overextend yourself and deliver subpar results. Another tool is to ask, “If I say, ‘yes’ to this, what am I saying ‘no’ to”?
Assess Opportunities: Evaluate new opportunities through the lens of your priorities. If an opportunity aligns with your goals and can be managed within your existing commitments, it might be worth pursuing. Otherwise, consider passing on it. In other words, if it’s not a “heck yes” then it should be a “no.”
Utilize Technology Wisely
Productivity Tools: Leverage technology to enhance productivity. Tools like project management software, collaborative platforms, and automation can streamline tasks and reduce workload.
Digital Detox: Conversely, be mindful of technology’s potential to intrude on personal time. Implement regular digital detoxes, such as no-screen hours or device-free days, to recharge. Again, this was, and is still, a difficult one for me but eventually, my burnout forced the issue. Take charge of your wellness before you are forced to do so.
Reflect and Adjust
Regular Reviews: Periodically review your work-life activities and priorities. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not and make necessary adjustments. Regular self-assessment helps you stay aligned with your priorities and maintain a sense of balance or flow. Go to a coffee shop for the afternoon or book a one-night hotel stay to do this work in isolation so that you can focus on the next steps.
Seek Feedback: Solicit feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and family members. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement or where additional focus is needed.
Conclusion: Myth or Reality?
Achieving work-life harmony as an executive is undeniably challenging, but it is not a myth. It requires conscious effort, strategic planning, and regular adjustment. By prioritizing and delegating effectively, setting boundaries, fostering a supportive work environment, and investing in self-care, you can create a sustainable work-life flow that enhances both your professional success and personal fulfilment.
The goal is not perfection but a harmonious blend that allows you to thrive in all areas of life. With commitment and intentionality, work-life integration is indeed possible, even for executives. Need help navigating this area of your leadership? Set up a no-pressure call to see if working together is a good fit to finally get you on the road to leadership wellness!
Did you enjoy this article? You might also enjoy…
Breathe In, Stress Out: Harnessing the Power of Breath
Leadership Wellness Essentials: What You Need to Get Started
The Unseen Burden: Understanding and Managing Executive Stress
