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Obtaining a work-life balance can be challenging.  Work demands can impose on lifestyle…and we all know the axiom, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  It can be hard to maintain a good balance between our identification as trusted employees and all of our outside roles.  Technology has blurred this line even more with society’s instantaneous access to information in any place and at any time.  Computers and smartphones allow work to encroach outside the boundaries of the traditional office. 

What’s wrong with hard work?  Nothing.  For many, our roles in the workplace are a part our identities and success comes with social recognition.  However, life has other demands as well and we all have only 24 hours in a day.  No matter what your role is at work, we all have varying competing roles such as parents, partners, caregivers, volunteers, athletes, oh and don’t forget that ever persistent FOMO (fear of missing out).  These competing demands foster a time crunch as responsibilities grow and the stress expands.  Some try to salvage more time by decreasing their sleep, however, there is overwhelming research of the importance of sleep in both mental and physical health.  How many of us have found sleep interrupted in the middle of the night by stress induced work insomnia?  Eventually, burning the proverbial candle at both ends leads to negative effects on health.

Remember, work-life balance looks different to every individual.  No two people have exactly the same situation.  However, as we wrap up 2017 and prepare to move into a new year, consider taking some time to reflect on how you spend your time.  Is it consistent with what you want out of life?  Are you over-invested in one area or another?  Is it time to make a change?  If so, what?  What are the upsides and downsides of making any changes and likewise keeping things exactly the same?  Creating an inventory doesn’t mean you have to change anything, but taking a little time to reflect can take us off of autopilot mode and may bring insight into our daily lives.