Worklife harmony are you on the treadmill

Anyone heard of the old fashioned term – measure (meaning moderation, proportion, an extent not to be exceeded)? What is needed is some measure back in people’s lives. We are not machines, nor are we just the water tight skin bag filled with blood, flesh and bones that we call our body. There is a great deal more to us than that!! Looking at ‘Man’ in his totality, or taking a “holistic” view of Life we need to consider a persons work patterns and obligations together with their personal life matters to arrive at some degree of understanding of each individual’s issues regarding work/life harmony. Work and life issues are inextricably inter-related. Life issues cannot be ignored, but if they are this omission may hinder the further development and growth of the individual.

It is apparent from research and many articles in the media, that employees are increasingly concerned with quality of life issues. Work and personal concerns are not separate matters. Even though we remain the same person, all of us play different roles in different situations – we wear different “hats” as it were, in each role. Lack of fulfilment in one area, or role, will of necessity impact on our performance in other areas. Increasingly we are being encouraged to devote more time to our careers and to keep up with the latest technological advances. The ‘bottom line’ seems to rule everything. At the same time individuals are complaining that work is making more and more demands on their time, leaving less time for family and leisure. They feel that they are on the work, commute, sleep, commute, treadmill, over which actions they have little or no control.

Those individuals who don’t have measure in their lives and are high achievers in the work place, at the expense of their families, will become increasingly frustrated as they struggle to maintain their performance at work. Such people are, in effect, like a bird trying to fly with one wing. A bird needs both wings to fly. Likewise a person needs both aspects of their life to be balanced (in measure) to both grow as a human being and reach their full potential.

Changes to family circumstances – divorce, partner’s or children’s illness, partner losing a job, all affect people’s health and emotional wellbeing, which inturn will affect their work/life harmony. If such a crisis should occur, it is essential that as soon as possible, a re-assessment of a person’s position be undertaken to regain some measure and to re-establish some harmony.

The Role of a Coach in seeking Work/Life Harmony.

Measure, harmony or balance, is a dynamic state. There are always compromises to be made. Choices or trade offs between work, family and/or leisure time. What needs to be developed is an ability to say ‘no’; to recognize one’s limits; to know when enough is enough. We all need to strive to achieve it, for everyone’s sake.

Remember that a family will outlast any job. Once one has been fired or made redundant there comes a realisation, once divorced from the self worth of a job, that a good, strong, loving family relationship is the most important thing of all. It is one of the characteristics of human nature that we find fulfilment and happiness only in relation to, and solidarity with, our fellow beings.

A coach works with the person concerned, at their pace, to help them become aware of any lack of measure, harmony, fulfilment or meaningful purpose in their life. Everyone has their own measure, sense of proportion, sense of life’s harmony and fulfilment which covers a wide area ranging from determining their own core values, to a search for the meaning of life (spiritual values), to relationships. Whatever is found to be lacking, then maybe you need some coaching to help you to re-establish some measure - to reset the parameters, to prioritise your goals and expectations. This will help bring peace of mind (a valuable, though sadly lacking commodity today).

Most people have a range of reasons why they choose to work at what they do. To give you a rough check on your measure (or lack of it) have a look at the following seven points and see whether any or all apply to you:-

1. To earn as much as I can.

2. Saving for my own business.

3. Need the money - raising a family.

4. Personal development.

5. Helping others.

6. Meeting new people.

7. Saving for retirement.

Examine each of the points which apply and see which motivate you and how many hours a day you are spending on each one. Then see if there is any measure (moderation, proportion, an extent not to be exceeded) which is lacking.

To be out of measure for a few years while young and trying to establishing ones self is ok. It is what is expected now-a-days. But year in and year out for an extended period can be injurious to health, family and relationships.



Worklife harmony are you on the treadmill - To learn more about this author, visit Andrew Campbell-Watt's Website.

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