The Work-Life Balance Myth

Work- Life Balance is a phrase I have always been set against.
In my first book Counting Chickens, back in 2003, I made the point, and I'm still making it today...
Work is part of life.. not set against it. It's not on opposite sides of some mysterious divide.
And this is especially so when you are working wih your Unique Talent at the centre of your life - or indeed running your own business.

The term Life Balance is much more applicable.

Yet, there's also a tendency to misuse the word "balance", especally when applied to goals.
It's sometimes a "cop out" isn't it?
I'm sure Iam not alone in having heard people say things like: "I want to set and achieve big goals, but, well, you know, you've got to be balanced with these things haven't you".

It's often used by others to diminish our goals too, isn't it (not deliberately but with the same protectionist mentality that the well-meant advice "don't Count your Chickens" entails). So we hear, "well, it's all well and good to be going for these ambitions, but you've got to keep balanced".

You see, for real achievement there's a need for absolute FOCUS. So that inevitably brings wat others may see as "imbalance".

Think of athletes, or top pefomers in any field. Think of musicians, or of actors. Of top scientists, or of artists.
To others they often appear obsessive and driven, and some may say "out of balance". But they are just focused aren't they?

And remember, when it comes to Life Balance, it's YOUR balance. No one else's.
It's a balance dependent on YOUR Values, your Purpose, your priorities.
As long as it's done through your choice, it can't be imbalance.

And it's those firm foundations of Values, Purpose and goals that allow you to be focused... to lean towards your "obsession" without falling over!