‘Work-Life Balance’ is a Myth
I am absolutely sick of talking about Work-Life Balance. It’s a theme that nearly every single person has discussed at some point in their lives, myself included, yet finding ‘balance’ is a pervasive and elusive ambition in and of itself that can often do more harm than good. It places the onus of responsibility on the individual and masks deeper systemic issues within organizations and cultures.
Instead of striving for balance, perhaps we should be asking for more from our organizations and systems to support us. Balance, as it’s commonly discussed, leads to guilt and frustration when we inevitably fail to achieve it. This is especially true for parents, who often feel like they’re failing at both work and parenting.
It’s time we shift the conversation from individual balance to systemic change. How can our organizations better support us so that we don’t have to choose between professional success and personal well-being?
Client Stories: I worked with R, a high-achieving executive navigating the transition to parenthood while managing a demanding role. She constantly felt guilty for not achieving balance. Through our work, we shifted her focus from “balance” to asking for systemic support from her company. With new boundaries in place and support from her leadership team, she stopped chasing balance and started thriving.