Is work-life balance actually possible? In this edition of the Take Charge of Change podcast, we'll discuss the concept of work-life balance. Is the prevailing perspective on work-life balance a fairytale - I'm going to share a perspective that fits with the real world.

The other day I was reading the book "Resilience" by the author Eric Greitens. He had a wonderful perspective on the whole notion of work-life balance. It's an important topic because we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the daily grind of keeping all of our commitments balanced. To truly find the balance sweet spot, it's critical that we look at balance as more about maintaining momentum than the idealized notion of everything in its place as we experience calm and tranquility.

In the real world, balance is a lot like learning to ride a bike. Kids don't find their balance by sitting on a bike standing still but by riding a bike that's rolling. A lumberjack competing in a log roll contest doesn't find balance by standing still but by running on the log.

So finding work-life balance is much like riding a bike or balancing on a log - it's about being in motion - it's not static. So Let's try to link this to the practical day-to-day of our lives. Many of us will spend the majority of our waking hours working. It's a huge part of what we do and seeps into almost every aspect of our lives.

It's virtually impossible to separate your vocation from your personal life. Work and personal life are not two separate areas that compete with each other. They are areas that need to be effectively integrated with each other. If you experience professional fulfillment , that's going to radiate through your whole life and if you experience great relationships, the positive side effects of those great relationships will radiate through your professional life in a positive way.

There's no way of getting around this integration. In fact, balancing work and all the other aspects of your life is really like being a conductor in a symphony. Some areas are stronger than others and then sometimes others reseed and others become stronger - it's a fluid process.

There is an Old Testament verse that hits this notion wonderfully,  "to everything there are a season and a time to every purpose under heaven."  Our lives are constantly in a state of flow – daily, yearly and throughout the seasons of life.

Yes, we need to think deeply and plan for our families, important relationships, our hobbies, our downtime, and of course our professions. But these are not separate rooms. The interplay between each area is the rich symphony of life and you are the conductor who needs to direct the ebb and flow of each are.

We live a life of balance, by understanding the importance of momentum and to see life as a symphony, not a seesaw.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Take Charge of Change podcast. For more information be sure to visit our website at www.takechargeofchange.com. 

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