4 Simple Rules for Balancing Life & Work…

Everyone talks about balancing work with life. It is not easy as anyone who tried knows. I have some experiences with both and I have 4 simple rules I use to balance work & life. It is based on two simple premises:
1. I am working to lead the life I want to lead and keep the people I care about happy.
2. I am also working because I enjoy working. This may not be true for everyone but continue reading.

Formula for balancing work & life

1. Give as much as each needs. Sometimes life needs more so give it more; other times work needs more of your time. Read No. 2 for minimum needs satisfaction of each for proper balance.

2. Keep both at the minimum level of happiness first and then prioritize based on day-to-day needs. To get absolute flexibility with this you need to be in your own business, which I do.

3. When an emergency in either life or work crops up it takes priority even at the cost of neglecting the other for the time being. You need to have a clean sense of understanding of what emergency is. Buying your wife’s necklace isn’t really more important than closing a million dollar deal in time. On the other hand attending to your wife’s illness is more important than closing that same million dollar deal in time.

4. When there is an emergency on both life and work, life takes priority. After all life is what you are working for.

Following the above, especially 3 & 4) takes some guts as you may have to risk something you hold dear like your corner office or that special parking spot etc. Personally, I can say I am happy with my decision and wouldn’t do it any other way should I get another new chance. There are people who like to adapt to the world; I believe in adapting the world around me.

How do you balance your life and work? Are you happy with your formula?