{"id":261271,"date":"2021-05-28T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T07:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced\/"},"modified":"2021-05-28T10:00:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T07:00:49","slug":"work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced\/","title":{"rendered":"#Work and life should NOT be \u2018balanced\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a29e9206f36c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a29e9206f36c\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced\/#%E2%80%9CWork-life_balance%E2%80%9D_is_kind_of_a_messed_up_phrase\" >\u201cWork-life balance\u201d is kind of a messed up phrase<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced\/#Balance_is_a_bias\" >Balance is a bias<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/work-and-life-should-not-be-balanced\/#Work_and_life_arent_opposites\" >Work and life aren\u2019t opposites<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Work and life should NOT be \u2018balanced\u2019<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>It\u2019s hard to notice oddities in your culture \u2014 they just feel \u201cnormal.\u201d But there\u2019s nothing universal about what you consider common sense. It\u2019s all shaped by the world you grew up in.<\/p>\n<p>The book <em>American Ways<\/em> by Gary Althen taught me this clearly. The intended audience is non-Americans who need to interact with Americans, so the book is full of tidbits that make me feel like an alien specimen undergoing examination. Like this:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>When they first encounter another person, Americans engage in a kind of conversation they call small talk. The most common topic of small talk is the weather. Another very common topic is what the speakers \u201cdo,\u201d meaning, normally, what jobs they have.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The book goes on like this, for 300 pages, describing all kinds of behavior I consider normal in clinical terms. It\u2019s mind-bending.<\/p>\n<p>But pay attention to the second example of small talk: what you \u201cdo.\u201d Think about that: one of our most common subjects of conversation is, more or less, \u201cwhat labor do you engage in so that you can earn money?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This is not universal. In some cultures, the answer to \u201cwhat do you do?\u201d is to talk about what you do for fun. But here, in North America, we talk about work. That means something, especially in our current \u201chustle culture\u201d moment.<\/p>\n<p>Which brings me to the idea of work-life balance, as understood by knowledge workers.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CWork-life_balance%E2%80%9D_is_kind_of_a_messed_up_phrase\"><\/span>\u201cWork-life balance\u201d is kind of a messed up phrase<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Picture, if you will, a scale.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1354835 js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"668\" height=\"1002\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster.jpeg 668w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-140x210.jpeg 140w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-180x270.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-90x135.jpeg 90w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/RJXPpVKgXro\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1354835\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"668\" height=\"1002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster.jpeg 668w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-140x210.jpeg 140w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-180x270.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/hamster-90x135.jpeg 90w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>No, not like that. Picture an old-timey balancing scale.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1354836 js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-202x135.jpeg 202w\"\/><figcaption>Credit: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/98MbUldcDJY\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1354836\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/scale-202x135.jpeg 202w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Yeah, like that. Imagine, if you will, putting your work on one side of that scale. Then imagine putting literally everything else about yourself \u2014 your friends, your hobbies, your family, your relationships, your beliefs, your favorite sports team, the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">movies<\/a> you like, and so on \u2014 on the other side.<\/p>\n<p>Do you think the scale should be tilted evenly?<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Balance_is_a_bias\"><\/span>Balance is a bias<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The phrase \u201cwork-life balance\u201d is, itself, an argument. Those words put the world into two categories \u2014 work and everything else \u2014 and imply that these two categories should be given more or less equal weight. And this, mind you, is the phrase used to suggest a <em>healthier alternative to burnout.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not saying we should all stop using the phrase \u201cwork-life balance.\u201d Workplaces where employees put in grueling hours, to the point where it\u2019s impossible to have a life outside of work, really are a problem, and all too often, workplace culture reinforces this. It\u2019s easy for that to develop on a team if leadership isn\u2019t intentional about it. I believe most managers and executives who use the term \u201cwork-life balance\u201d are trying to make life better for their employees.<\/p>\n<p>Having said that, I think our culture\u2019s obsession with work is easy to ignore, and I think the phrase points to it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Work_and_life_arent_opposites\"><\/span>Work and life aren\u2019t opposites<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Our culture glorifies work. Most of our TV dramas and sitcoms are set in workspaces. <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social media<\/a> feeds are full of hustlers working long hours in the workplace, then heading home to work on their side hustle. It\u2019s easy to feel like work is the place where you should try to find meaning in life, and that you should constantly be trying to get to the next goal by working harder.<\/p>\n<p>But you don\u2019t have to. You can stay where you are, if your needs are being met. There\u2019s no rule that says you have to advance, or that your business has to keep growing. You can get yourself to a reasonable place, and then stop. Turns out that\u2019s perfectly legal.<\/p>\n<p>That isn\u2019t to say you can\u2019t get satisfaction out of work. You can. I get a lot of joy out of writing and would probably spend a good chunk of every day doing it even if no one was paying me. Every so often, I write things I\u2019m proud of. Sometimes strangers get in touch to tell me it meant a lot of them. It\u2019s a great feeling, and I could imagine spending all of my time chasing it.<\/p>\n<p>But there are other things worth chasing \u2014 sunsets, music, conversation, mountains, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.zappy.app\/1304a0a57015502223ea7d2f8e1f7510.jpg\">perfect pets<\/a>, pizza, friends, laughter, and so much more.<\/p>\n<p>This might seem obvious to you. I, personally, have had to learn this lesson over time, in part by having friends repeat it to me multiple times in situations where it should be obvious.<\/p>\n<p>So I\u2019m learning to put work in its place. I\u2019m <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/work-life-guardrails\/\">setting up guardrails<\/a> so that I remember to stop working when it\u2019s time. I try to automate busywork, then use the time I free up to do something else. And I try not to use working from home as an excuse to work more often. It\u2019s not about balance \u2014 it\u2019s about keeping things in perspective.<\/p>\n<p>Work might be personally meaningful to you, or it might not be. But it\u2019s not who you are, or even necessarily the most interesting thing about you. Work can just be a thing you sometimes do and occasionally bring up in conversation (when the weather isn\u2019t interesting enough, anyway).<\/p>\n<p><i><span>This article by Justin Pot was originally published on the\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\">Zapier blog<\/a>\u00a0and is republished here with permission. You can read the original article\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/rethinking-work-life-balance\/\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/rethinking-work-life-balance-syndication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Work and life should NOT be \u2018balanced\u2019&#8221; It\u2019s hard to notice oddities in your culture \u2014 they just feel \u201cnormal.\u201d But there\u2019s nothing universal about what you consider common sense. It\u2019s all shaped by the world you grew up in. The book American Ways by Gary Althen taught me this clearly. The intended audience is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":261272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/growth-quarters?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/05\/work-life-balance-hamster-gq.png&signature=262d0c70cf3a11b08060c590b1f84644","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-261271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=261271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/261272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=261271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=261271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=261271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}