Work-Life BullS***

Work-Life Harmony: A Better Way Forward

The old idea of work-life balance can be misleading.

Instead, let's think about work-life harmony.

Harmonising work and life is a more relevant and holistic approach to how we function in today’s world.

It’s about recognising them as intertwined aspects of a unified whole.

Picture This: Imagine a coin with one side dirty and the other side clean. It doesn't make sense, right?

Work and life are like two sides of the same coin—you can't separate them completely.

Putting life first often works better than making work your only focus.

Are You Really Present?

Ever found yourself checking emails while watching TV?

Or being at home but mentally still at work?

Your work stress may be affecting how you interact with loved ones.

This is why harmonising—not just balancing—is so important.

Trying to balance without harmony can lead to frustration and burnout.

Reflection: Take a moment to ponder: How often does work stress overwhelm you at home? What's the real cost of this lack of harmony on your well-being and relationships?

My Journey to Harmony

A significant part of my post-traumatic growth (PTG) after experiencing severe burnout was rooted in discovering work-life harmony.

Chasing "balance" was hurting my work, health, and personal life.

I thought loving my job meant I didn't need to worry about balance, but I underestimated the need to nurture relationships and prioritise my well-being.

True harmony requires attention to all parts of life, not just work.

A great resource on the subject is ‘Off Balance’ by Matthew Kelly:

Why Harmony Matters

Research shows that work-life harmony is more sustainable than trying to balance time equally between work and life.

Harmony is about smoothly integrating your roles for overall well-being.

One insightful definition is:

"An individually pleasing, congruent arrangement of work and life roles that is interwoven into a single narrative of life."
—McMillan, Morris, & Atchley, 2011

Studies find that work-life harmony leads to greater satisfaction, better mental health, and less burnout, especially with remote work and flexible hours (Calvin & Jeyaraj; Hill & Carroll).

Try This Today

Morning Harmony: Once a week, start your day with something focused on life, not work.

Have a quick chat with your team (or yourself) about personal interests or non-work topics.

This helps you transition smoothly between life and work.

Fun Challenge: The "Two for You" Rule

Dedicate two five-minute moments today just for yourself. Stretch, read something enjoyable, or savour a coffee break without distractions.

Why It Works: These small, intentional breaks help you recharge and meaningfully blend life and work, boosting your overall well-being.

Let's Connect

I'd love to hear about your experiences with work-life harmony. Reply to this email to share your thoughts. Let's start a conversation!

How Else I Can Help

Are you a senior leader looking to elevate your leadership approach and achieve work-life harmony?

My tailored coaching program can help you level up your emotional intelligence, refine your habits, and boost your productivity—all while prioritising harmony in your journey.

Schedule a free 30-minute clarity call here to begin your path toward a harmonised future.

I've helped senior leaders in some of the world's top organisations.

I also offer consulting services and speaking engagements for events, keynotes, podcasts, and more.

Thank you for reading! See you in a couple of weeks.

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