Work-Life Balance Is Not Just a “Nice to Have”

Work-life balance is often treated as a mere afterthought, with people acknowledging its importance only when they are overwhelmed and desperate. However, Dr. J. Gerald Suarez, an esteemed educator, consultant, and executive coach at the University of Maryland, emphasizes that work-life balance should be viewed not as a luxury but as an essential element crucial for achieving success in our professional lives. His position is that work-life balance does not guarantee success, but without it, failure is almost inevitable. To enhance work-life balance, it is vital to resist the allure of relying solely on coping mechanisms to manage stress that provide only temporary relief. Doing so can become a habit of coping that only facilitates increased deterioration of your equilibrium between work and personal life. A more intelligent approach starts with introspection and decisions. You can’t do everything well, so deliberate and identify the core values and experiences that hold the utmost importance in your life. Next, embrace these core beliefs and principles as the foundation of your life. Let them shape your decisions, and establish priorities for achieving work-life balance. Take a proactive approach by scheduling a balance of work-life activities on your calendar. Instead of trying to fit them in or treating them as secondary to other commitments, make them a nonnegotiable part of your available time. Using this approach will be more likely to contribute to stability in your life and help you maintain mindful choices that add to success in work and beyond.
Source: University of Maryland

7/20/2023