If you browse through the internet reading about the topic “Work Life Balance” you’re in for a ride! So far, it always seemed that finding a good balance between your daily work and the time you spend with family, friends or just yourself is what we all should strive to achieve.
But already the first page of your search results will turn that idea upside down and back again! The only balance you’ll find is the amount of pro and con articles about this topic. So, what’s the deal? Here are 4 arguments against and 4 arguments in favor of the work live balance theory.
Con-Argument: Life Work Balance? Totally outdated!
If you read articles like the one from Conor Neill’s on lifehack, you will find yourself totally agreeing with the facts and ideas he presents.
1. We are never in balance
Conor Neill states that we are never balanced out when we put one foot in front of the other. Or at least just a tiny bit during the process. Conor even takes it a step further and calls the whole concept of a balance between work and free time outright stupid! He explains this theory by focusing on humans and the way we move: “Triangles are naturally in balance, humans are not.”
2. If we would reach the perfect life work balance, we would be unhappy
Conor Neill’s reason for this is because that would be the end of the road. And humans are not made to stand still. We need to explore, develop new ideas, and make things better!
3. The constant search for the perfect life-work-balance is a very frustrating endeavor
Connor Neill explains that something in balance will never feel steady and safe. A strong fundament and stable wings are what we all need. His message, “Build your fundament and trust your wings!” is good, valuable, and solid. But somehow his entire argumentation feels a bit off topic.
Author Meghan M. Biro takes it even a notch further and tells us to kill the life work balance myth! Reading her article on Forbes, you might find yourself in total agreement.
4. The idea of maintaining a life work balance is “simply not a functional concept”
Meghan M. Biro rightfully talks about leaders, who achieved tremendous things, build up multi-billion dollar companies and created an impact on how we live today. She states that modern companies change the working environment to a work-living environment and that this very productive structure defines the way our first-world society will move ahead. Work life balance? According to Meghan M. Biro “We’re already past that”. So, let us all become leaders, live to work, and change the world! Right?
Pro-argument: Without a good work-life-balance you’re doomed!
Let’s look at the other side of the argumentation. Just like on the con-side, you’ll find numerous articles that will bombard you with all the amazing advantages a good work life balance holds in store for you.
One of the most striking arguments for maintaining an equal amount of free time in reference to your working hours is actually quite simple: “If you don’t balance work with the rest of your life, you’ll miss it.” But that is just the essence of the whole pro-argumentation. Here are four of many points, which speak for a well-balanced scale between work and free time:
1. Money does not make you happier!
Although we have all heard that argument at least a thousand times before, it is still not very convincing. But then again … earning a bag full of cash every month by working like a maniac, but with no time, no friends, and no hobby to spend it on, does seem a bit silly.
2. More free time means more social interactions.
The human being is a herd animal. And a very romantic one on top! We need our social time with others, may it be our partner, friends or family.
3. Free time makes room for creativity!
And thus, your work and you career will also benefit from a healthy work life balance.
4. Your health will thank you
Compared to a work-life-balance, a so called “burn out” is not a myth! What good will all that hard-earned cash do you, if you need to spend it on medical bills?
The Conclusion to the Work Life Balance Argument
Is unsatisfying! Why? Because everyone has a different point of view.
Career orientated people will tell you that the concept of balancing work and life is outdated. Work and life are becoming one thing. Mobile devices enable you to work from anywhere at any time. Companies are beginning to adjust their job structures and the working environment accordingly. Some people love what they are doing! They become one with the task at hand, find their true purpose and excel in their career. And that is just great!
For others, a good work life balance is working a few hours from their home office and then going for a walk with the dog, fetch some of the home-grown veggies for lunch from the garden and then maybe work some more. Not the huge amount of cash is relevant but the quality time they spend with their loved ones and doing the things they really enjoy doing.
It is a fact though, that most people living on our planet do not have the choice between a highly-paid career and an easy-going home office job. And an estimated 95% of these people do not have the luxury of trying to balance work and life. For them, life and work are what they are.
