If I’ve reached any conclusions since blogging about work-life balance for the last couple of years, it’s that parity in a work:life ratio is not equivalent to work-life balance contentment.
Sometimes a person can feel balanced when either side weighs heavier than the other.
What I’ve also observed is that a person’s work:life ratio is usually not something static. But rather that it ebbs and flows on both sides of the equation according to a person’s changing desires and circumstances.
The latest subject to be interviewed for ‘A Fine Balance‘ has assigned an overall work:life ratio of 80:20 to their story. This is not a static figure: at times it has been closer to 70:30, at others more like 90:10; and everything in between.
Yet, “work” has consistently and purposefully dominated, which this person describes as a source of contentment and fulfilment.
This ratio, and the story this sits behind it, differs to the numerous “50:50” ones I’ve shared on the blog and podcast previously.
And it challenges any assumptions that improving your work-life balance involves “working” less and “living” more.
I’m only just getting started on the write-up so watch this space to read more in due course…