“It’s up to us as individuals to take control and responsibility for the types of lives that we want to lead. If you don’t design your life, then someone else may just design it for you, and you may not like their idea of balance.” – Nigel Marsh, author of Fat, Forty, and Fired
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to attend a meeting with a local group of women in creative professions. The focus of the discussion was how to achieve a work-life balance. I was so intrigued and excited to attend, after all, isn’t that what we all hope to achieve?
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go at the last minute because of – you guessed it – work. Not work that necessarily had to be done but I felt committed to seeing something through until it was finished so I put my personal plans on hold.
Steven Covey once said, “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” The irony of the situation was not lost on me and I asked myself, “What is balance?”and maybe more importantly, is true balance achievable?
This is such a relevant topic in today’s business world. More and more companies are moving toward remote working environments. With the technology and tools in front of us, gone is requiring everyone on the team to sit at a desk to clock their 40 hours. Living in the digital age means we’re always “on” and with that, it has become increasingly difficult to unplug and prioritize the personal over professional.
Our Work Philosophy
I am fortunate enough to have recently joined the team here at Proof as our Account Manager. Everyone here truly believes we can have it all when it comes to balance. A thriving, successful work life and a quality, fulfilling personal life.
Our day to day and being able to work both remote and in-office empowers each of us to work where and when we feel most productive. Matt’s seen every sunrise for the past 10 years and cranks through things before the rest of us are awake, and Alexa is most creative in the twilight evening hours. You miss out on these important moments of productivity if you force everyone to conform to a strict, 9-5 schedule.
And while not all companies are like Proof, here are some things to ask yourself about work/life balance as you look for that harmony in your own life and in the lives of your team members.
- When are you most productive?
- When do you find yourself wasting the most time?
- Where do you feel most focused? At home, at work, at a coffeeshop?
Be honest with yourself about where you’re most productive, where you find yourself wasting time, and how you best focus in and do your best work.
Go off the grid
Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to completely unplug and reset. It’s important that we all work to balance work and play on a daily basis, but it’s essential to “go off the grid” from time to time as well. That means no computer, no cell phone, no television. Call it a digital detox if you will. A juice cleanse for your soul. Have meaningful conversations, read a book, do whatever makes you truly happy. Return energized and renewed and ready to slay.
Above all, remember the words of the great Dolly Parton: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
Check out our Playbook for a detailed look at the when, when, where, why, and how behind our work at Proof.