The balance between private and business life is a phrase that is too often mentioned in the workplace and to which, by rough estimate, almost every third post on LinkedIn is dedicated, but what does it actually mean and is it an ideal we should strive for, or some kind of holy grail that is unattainable for the most ambitious individuals, or is it something that can be trained from the first days in the labor market? Does this balance mean rejecting calls and messages after working hours and ignoring emails during annual vacations, or have we now gone a step too far?
Most Common Mistakes
The balance between work and private life, according to consultant Anja Oppenheim Barešić, refers to a state of harmony and balance achieved between work and personal life. However, she adds, this definition hides a trap – the illusion of permanence, or unchangeability. Viewing the balance between work and private life as a static, achieved state ignores the fact that life inherently involves changes and unpredictability.
– Additionally, it implies that once the balance is achieved and the goal is reached, no further effort is needed to maintain that balance. Believing that a state of balance can be permanently maintained sets unrealistic expectations, and such a mindset can lead to frustration and disappointment when the balance is disrupted. On the other hand, viewing the balance between work and private life as a constant action, as an act of balancing, encourages flexibility and adaptability. Priorities change, and maintaining balance requires regular reassessment and adjustment to new challenges and opportunities. This is very similar to riding a bicycle, which requires us to constantly adjust to maintain balance so we don’t fall and break our knees – says the consultant, who notes that just as we learned to ride a bicycle, we must learn to manage the balance between private and business life because, like any other skill, it requires conscious effort.
Ultimately, riding a bicycle on different terrains requires adjusting speed and technique, and the same is required of the balance between private and business life at different stages of life. But what if we fall off the bike, or if we disrupt the balance? Ana Petelinšek, head of the Assessment Department and project leader of ‘Future Resilience’ from SELECTIO Group, says that when we talk about mistakes we make and have influence over, we most often disrupt the balance by overworking without enough time for rest and relaxation, lacking clear boundaries between private life and work (which is especially challenging when working from home), neglecting physical and mental health due to work obligations, ignoring signs of burnout, lacking organizational skills, and setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves.
Shifting Blame
– The question of the balance between private and business life is very often a question for every employee and employer. On one hand, employer initiatives and the approach to work are certainly key in maintaining a positive work atmosphere and desirable organizational culture, but also in preventing burnout. On the other hand, besides at the organizational level, the individual approach of each employee is crucial. Flexible working hours, shortened work weeks, or other organizational initiatives certainly recognize the importance of balance. Additionally, since leaders play an important role in time management, it is crucial to further strengthen their skills through leadership programs in the areas of prioritization, planning and organization, setting boundaries, and developmental delegation. By supporting management and adopting a leading by example approach, an organizational culture is created that supports clearer boundary setting – explains Petelinšek.
