by Penny Dablin

The concept of home/work balance is a bit of a mantra amongst coaches. Getting the balance right is vital for a happy, healthy, fulfilling life while getting the balance wrong leads to stress, burnout and unhappiness.

Human beings are social creatures and our lives are strengthened and made worthwhile by our relationships with others. Who are the most important people in your life? Those you love and who love you! And that’s not likely to be the people you work with!

What is home/work balance?

I think we each intuitively know what that balance would be for ourselves. This varies from person to person and I believe that you will know if your life is out of balance.

And it’s not just time that makes up the “balance” but the quality of that time. Being at home vegetating in front of the television doesn’t count much towards maintaining your family relationships!

How do you get back into a balance that works for you?

Firstly you must recognise that you are out of balance and determine that you really do want to do something about it.

Then I think the keys are identifying the problems and communication.

Ask yourself lots of questions to really identify the problems:

• What are the trigger situations that lead to you spending too much time at work?
• Are you overworked?
• Is too much being demanded of you?
• Do you avoid going home because of some unresolved issues there?
• Is your work environment more fun, more fulfilling, more pleasurable than your home life?
• Are you in the wrong job?
• Is the imbalance only temporary?
• Or long term?
• Do you bring work home?

Your answers will lead to clarity and possible changes of direction or activity. Your answers will also throw up lots more questions to be considered!

Remember, you are not alone. The people you share your life with are also concerned that you resolve any home/work balance issues. Talk to them. Discuss together how different changes would affect your home life. Find out how they feel and what suggestions they may have.

And consider talking to a coach to get an unbiased perspective on the issues that have been raised.