Balance is a personal journey and elusive – meaningful matters more …
ALL CHANGE … Let’s start by changing the narrative … fom Work Life to LIFE^WORK!
Work life is a narrative that comes from the industrial revolution and evolved throughout the 20th century. You went and got a job – there was lots of choice – you stayed forever and it determined how you lived, where you lived, who you associated with and what you did – it was the path most travelled – conformity gave comfort and safety. It worked if you worked. There were lots of rules. You followed them and the path set down for you by others.
Now the paths have gone. Uncertainty is the norm. You are overwhelmed by the choices and decisions. You still work hard but what for?
Balance seems somewhat irrelevant – if it ever was. Lines are blurring. Those in charge do not always seem to have your interests at heart. And it does not feel so comfortable or safe! You are so busy with today that you worry you do not have time to prepare for the future!
However, these changes also bring plenty of opportunity. The rules are being rewritten or thrown out. Our work and our lives are more entwined and you can choose many different paths. What if we change our thinking and turn it around to LIFE^WORK! And take responsibility for today and tomorrow :).
You dream and explore to determine the LIFE you want to live – (for now) – the meaningful one – that aligns with who you are, what you stand for, who you want to be and what you want to do. Your own compass to set the path.
You are the Architect and go all in to Design/ Build it. You push yourself. You choose and take responsibility for bringing it to LIFE. You are your personal enabler!
The need to adapt and grow – as you navigate change is e given – as the next decade heralds an era of reduced choices for those who do not set down their path and own the journey.
You then look at your immediate WORK options that help you deliver that meaningful LIFE. You build a career, explore your talents and develop a bunch of transferable power skills that bring that LIFE^WORK vision into reality one step at a time.
But, you know you don’t stay here forever or get too comfy. As your LIFE changes, you plan your WORK changes accordingly. And when the unexpected happens you have established your resilience roots to help you adapt fast.And that might just include a great siode hustle.
There will be times for short term trade offs but for a clear payoff – you make the choices. There are boundaries. WORK is a deal between you and your employer(s) or with yourself if you are YOUR Boss – you each have rights and responsibilities. You OWN yours.
You regularly press the refresh or revitalise or renew or redo or reinvent button.- It spices things up, stretches you and ensures you focus on a worthy well lived LIFE.. And you unleash your creativity to continuously enhance your skills to stay relevant and add value. LIFE^WORK eliminates the need for seeking balance as it is designed with your priorities and well-being front of mind.
You take 100% ownership of your LIFE, recognizing the limited time – approximately 4,000 weeks in an 80 year life – that you have on this awesome planet. You make each hour, day and week count, with WORK playing a significant role but not overshadowing the hero – your LIFE^WORK journey – where you create the means to stay relevant, make an impact, thrive and deliver a meaningful well lived LIFE! The one that makes you feel alive, gives you the freedom to make choices and rewards you in so many different ways!
Try out this new narrative and give your LIFE^WORK a fresh perspective, for a new era.
Why does it matter?
Because in this ‘new era’ – finding meaningful, staying relevant and thriving demands we OWN our futures … so why not start with what you really want!