There is no such thing as work-life balance. What I've learned over the past 30 years is that there is life-work integration.
On certain occasions, we need to work like crazy because we have a deadline, a project is due. Sometimes, our work schedule requires us to put the pedal to the metal, work super hard, and work hours that we typically don't during our typical workday. Then there are times when we have more time to relax, unwind, take it easier, and set the pace.
"Balance" to me implies that things are equal--my work time and personal time. I've learned that that's not the case. The key, however, is to...
Know what is important at a given time and plan accordingly.
In other words, if you know that you'll need to work long hours, then you set yourself up for success by creating the structure that will support you.
In my case, I make sure that I get together with my team and delegate tasks I need help with so that I can dedicate my time to work on high-priority milestones of the project that only I can perform while they take care of the others.
I also build a structure when I plan by delegating and letting my team know, and scheduling it on my calendar so that it doesn't catch me by surprise. I know that sounds extremely simple, but in so many cases, when "we fail to plan, we plan to fail."
Action Equals Confidence
Recently, during my Fearless Leaders Challenge training, I was teaching the concept that action equals confidence! We tend to think it's the other way around--I'll wait to have the confidence to take action.
What I've learned and what we've discovered together as a community is that when we take action, we get results. Those results solidify our belief that what we are doing is working, and therefore we tap into more of our potential and take more action.
When we don't get the results we want, we pivot. We do something different and tweak it.
Clarity also leads to confidence. When we are clear on what we're working on and what is meaningful, we spend time taking action on those items, and we tend to see the results we're looking for.
Take action, and you will see how your confidence will increase.
Bringing It All Together
Finally, I invite you to live with courage and integrate your life and work in a way that works for you and no one else because no one else has your responsibilities and priorities.
And take action. You will see how that effort will lead you to lead more confidently in your life, personally and professionally--the two aspects of your world are not unrelated. When you gain more confidence at work, you also gain more confidence in your personal life and vice versa.
Do something. Don't stay stuck in the same place.
If you keep doing the same thing and getting lousy results, tweak something, pivot, ask for support. There are so many brilliant people around you who have great ideas that have potentially been down the path you are trying to go down. Reach out to them, ask for help--that takes a great deal of courage.
If you can relate, I invite you to set up a complimentary strategy session and explore how our programs can help you or your leaders up-level to higher confidence, more decisive action, and more life-work integration. You can connect with me by visiting www.callwithginny.com.
In the meantime, be fearless! (act despite the fear)
Coach Ginny 💕
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About Dr. Ginny A. Baro
Dr. Ginny A. Baro is a sought-after international motivational speaker & leadership coach, a career strategist, and #1 bestselling author of Fearless Women at Work.
Ginny specializes in partnering with organization to develop leadership teams at all levels of management. And she supports individuals navigating a corporate hierarchy or moving into an entirely new phase of their career. She has successfully facilitated live and virtual leadership training and coaching programs for individuals and Fortune 500 companies with over 140,000 employees and delivered keynotes impacting international audiences larger than 7,000. To learn more, visit ExecutiveBound.
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