As I get older and spend more time working around others it becomes so much clearer that workers, peers, leaders, and the list goes on and on look at opportunities differently. One person sees a snow storm as a day to skip work, play with the kids, and another sees the opportunity to accomplish something, anything, as wasted. I believe every day each of us has the choice to see opportunity to do something, anything, be active and engaged or see opportunity to do nothing, skip out, take advantage of every circumstance to quit.
The problem that comes to light is the premise of work-life balance. Work from home! That is not work-life balance to me. Work at home is work and not at balance with life. When one is at home, then do not work. When one is at work, then do work. I see more people take the opportunity to talk with their kids while at work, like the employer really wants to pay you to talk with your kids, or people take the opportunity to work from home, like your employer is actually paying you more, if at all, for the extra time. Did the family win while you were working from home too? Opportunity is mostly wasted on both sides.
My suggestion is quite simple really. When you are at work, work, and focus on what you do very well without disturbances or accepting family calls. When you are at home, be at home, and do not take calls for work. This to me is work-life balance. Both are priorities when they are 100% the focus when they should be. You know, the opportunity to actually accomplish the goal of work-life balance. 100% work while at work / 100% life while not at work.
I always have to laugh at those that believe both life and work are getting your best when you do both, work and life, at the same time. I happen to be more on the side of the employer here since I have managed many teams in two different industries. When you are at work, then you should be focused on work and doing your best for the people you serve for. When you leave and go home, then life should be your focus. You will get work done tomorrow, but now you are not at work. Work is not done at home!
If you are in a career like mine that requires you to take phone calls after hours, then you should get paid additionally for doing so. Your employer/customer took your life time for work and should provide consideration for doing so in compensation. Yes, your employer/customer must pay for your time! You have to look at what was the original agreement of your time to your employer when you accepted the position. That being said, again, when you are at work invest in work and do what you do with the ability you were hired for. You are the best, prove it daily. Life issues should be dealt with at work during scheduled time, such as lunch or a break, and not at any time convenient to the caller.
If you feel, like most do, that neither life or work get’s your best daily, then seriously look at why you are not making either a priority at any time in your life. You can make work 100% when you are at work. You can make life 100% when you are at not at work. Seriously. Take the opportunity to engage and not skip out on either life or work. The opportunity you are looking for is entirely up to you. Take advantage of each opportunity by having a clearer focus of purpose and doing both life and work very well. You will not be truly happy until you do!