I joined my current organization – which is in the nonprofit sector – from the corporate world. I believe in the environmental cause and want to make a difference. I was busy before in the banking world, but the hours are no different here. I’m not sure what my expectations were going in, but does any sector have true work/life balance anymore?
The Balancing Act: Finding true work/life balance
What you are describing is a very common phenomenon that has impacted the entire work world. It is true that in days gone by, you could find organizations or even entire sectors that seemed to operate at a more leisurely pace, but they are becoming more and more uncommon each day, even in the not-for-profit world. There are many societal, corporate, and technological drivers that have lead to this shift, but we all need to face this reality and each come up with individual plans to adapt to it.
It starts with you
Of course, the first, and easiest, place to start is with you. Ask yourself the following types of questions:
- Do I have control over how many hours I work?
- Why am I working as many hours as I am?
- Is this a permanent and ongoing condition of my employment, or temporary?
- Is there any way I can reduce the number of hours I work?
- Can I make any adjustments myself that would lower my workload?
- Am I too focused on control, or a perfectionist unwilling to delegate?
- Do I expect my employees to work the same hours I do?
- Are there other personal reasons that I may have for staying at work (i.e. subconsciously avoiding time in a troubled home environment by staying at work)?
- What would happen if I worked ½ or 1 hour less a day?
- Do I know how to say “No” to people assigning tasks to me?
If you conclude that you cannot personally do anything about your workload, then move out to the organization in general, and ask yourself the following types of questions:
- Is there a premium placed on “face time”, or simply putting in hours to show that you are “one of the team”?
- Is this a condition that runs throughout the entire organization, or in particular departments only?
- Do colleagues from similar organizations face the same workload?
- Is this workload consistent with the organization’s stated values (if they have them)?
- Are the resources sufficient to achieve the mandate of the organization?
There are lots of other questions you can consider, but they should all revolve around looking at your options, in particular how much control you actually have over your situation. Please note that the amount of control you perceive yourself to have and the amount you have in actuality can be quite distinct, and it’s important to explore this difference.
What if I?
Start hypothesizing about adjusting your work/life balance for the better. What if you cut back at work and don’t put in the hours you are currently committing? What will happen? There are a whole range of consequences from getting fired, on one extreme, to nothing happening at all, on the other side of the continuum. This type of thought exercise can be a good first step to positive action. It can be very daunting to get the perspective you need to make positive change in your life, especially when you’re feeling that your boat is sinking fast, and you’re bailing for your life.
Baby steps first
Start with small steps first, such as changing your internal language from “victim” to “master of your destiny”, or taking off 15 minutes earlier from work for a week, and see how you cope. Other things you can do:
- Get out of your “comfort zone”
- Find a mentor/role model
- Be more open to change
- Take personal time out for YOU
- Learn to prioritize
- Understand your personal values
Look at other creative options to give yourself more time off work and more work/life balance:
- Flextime
- Telecommuting
- Sabbatical/ leave of absence
- Job sharing
- Reduced hours
- Part-time work
Adjusting mechanisms for work/life imbalance
Work/life balance is all about priorities. It is a dynamic concept, constantly shifting with the changes in our lives and careers. Major triggers in our lives (births/deaths, marriages/divorces, moving, sickness, etc.) can make us feel overwhelmed at times, and shift our work/life balance to the negative. Sometimes you will feel overwhelmed with what life sends your way, but this should not be a chronic condition. Having coping mechanisms for these times can be very helpful for our mental and physical well-being. This is where “New Age” techniques can really help – things such as mantras, Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, soothing music – as well as old staples like proper exercise, nutrition, sleep, and personal down time. Try to avoid other stress relievers such as alcohol and other drugs; these only address the symptoms of improper work/life balance, not the cause.
Good luck!
Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is Past President and Treasurer of ALS Canada. To contact Michael, visit: www.catalystcareers.com.
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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.
