The idea that work and life can be \u201cbalanced\u201d presents a false (and unhelpful) dichotomy. Using the word \u201cbalance\u201d sets us up to think of \u201cwork\u201d and \u201clife\u201d as an\u00a0either \/ or<\/em>, instead of a\u00a0both \/ and.<\/em>\u00a0It creates a sense of a problem to be solved, instead of\u00a0acknowledging a\u00a0polarity<\/em>\u00a0to be managed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our research team recommends shifting to the idea of work-life integration<\/em> rather than work-life balance.<\/p>\n Work-life integration isn\u2019t about achieving the \u201cright\u201d equation of time and effort, equally distributed among your commitments. It\u2019s more a matter of choices and tradeoffs than of time, so think instead of\u00a0aligning your behavior with your values<\/em>. Parenting and leadership<\/a>, for example, needn\u2019t feel mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n The choice to prioritize work-life\u00a0integration<\/em>\u00a0means you might work on weekends. Other times, you might work on personal stuff during the \u201cworkday.\u201d The goal of work-life integration is to transition easily between activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, regardless of when they happen, where they\u2019re located, or whether you\u2019re getting paid.<\/p>\n People have more energy to give when they\u2019re doing things they think have a real impact on something that\u2019s important to them (whether it\u2019s volunteering, work, or other activities). That\u2019s true even when they\u2019re working long hours.<\/p>\n So, think about the things both at work and at home that you can do that are important to you, and that allow you to live a happy life. Being able to do what you want to do isn\u2019t just about hours; it\u2019s about whether you have the energy and drive to do them.<\/p>\n Work-life integration is about feeling energized by what you\u2019re doing in all parts of your life, allowing you to channel energy into taking care of whatever is important to you \u2014 both at work and outside of work.\u00a0This is the idea behind practicing holistic leadership<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our research suggests<\/a> that work-life\u00a0boundaries<\/em> are more important than work-life balance. Where balance suggests an unrealistic image of doing it all \u2014 and in just the right amounts \u2014 boundaries open more options both for\u00a0 individuals and for organizations.<\/p>\n People vary, however, in how much flexibility they have to create boundaries within their work lives.<\/p>\n Our researchers have found that some people have higher or lower levels of boundary control, and that it has much to do with the circumstances or type of work they\u2019re in.<\/p>\n The more control a person has over where, how, and when they work and how they manage other responsibilities, the easier it is for them to fit the different pieces of life together and achieve work-life integration. Greater control also leads to a feeling of more autonomy and security.<\/p>\n But boundary control is only one of 3 factors that our researchers believe affect the integration of work and personal life. To fully understand your work-life situation, you must analyze your behaviors<\/em> (what you\u2019re currently doing), your identity<\/em> (where you prefer to invest your time and energy), and your perceived control<\/em> (your ability to decide when, where, and how to take care of work and family responsibilities).<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a 3-step process we recommend for setting aside the unhelpful balance metaphor and creating work-life integration for yourself.<\/p>\n As much as you are able, try to\u00a0live with intention both at work and at home<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0increase your energy levels and feelings of authenticity and effectiveness.<\/p>\n To ensure your behaviors align with your values, take time to reflect and clarify what matters most to you. Then consider whether you\u2019re spending time in a way that\u2019s consistent with your values.<\/p>\n You may also need to reflect on what you\u2019re doing now as a choice you\u2019re making instead of a situation you\u2019re the victim of. Remind yourself why you\u2019ve made the choice you have or why the current situation is what it is. For the moment, you may be focused on surviving a temporary challenge or setback. But if current demands don\u2019t hold in the future, or if those reasons are no longer primary for you, consider what new choices you can make now or in a few months, so that you\u2019re aiming for work-life integration, not making the 2 feel mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n Remember, your needs and expectations will continue to change, so keep coming back to reflect and\u00a0set achievable goals for yourself that align with your values<\/a>\u00a0and current priorities.<\/p>\n Everyone needs support to achieve goals, especially those as complicated as work and family goals. After taking time to reflect, talk with friends and family about what you might do differently in the future as you prioritize work-life integration. Some might help you figure out how to best manage your time and energy or agree to take tasks off your to-do list. Others can provide encouragement or empathy as you seek to adjust your work and life patterns.<\/p>\n You may also need to have a conversation with your manager about flexing your hours so you can start later when you need to, get off early when necessary, or make up time another day. Remind your boss that\u00a0flexibility in the workplace<\/a>\u00a0leads directly to important organizational outcomes like improved productivity, employee engagement, and retention.<\/p>\n If the way you\u2019re spending your time feels out of alignment with your values, decide how you\u2019d rather spend your time. Take 5 minutes alone to imagine yourself toward the end of your life and consider:\u00a0What did you not get to do that was important? Who did you not get to be?<\/em><\/p>\n Now \u2014 what are you going to do about it?\u00a0Create a plan to make it happen and\u00a0turn your intentions into reality<\/a>. Doing so will increase your effectiveness and the energy you have available, leading to a greater sense of and work-life integration.<\/p>\n What does all this mean for how you approach the issue of work-life integration within your organization?<\/p>\n First, replacing work-life balance with the concept of work-life\u00a0integration within your organization\u00a0can help reframe the conversations employees have with one another, with their managers, and with their families.<\/p>\n Talking about preferences versus reality can help to identify areas that are most frustrating for employees and managers \u2014 and reveal potential fixes that ease the struggle. Getting creative about boundary control can help shape even the most structured or high-demand jobs to give employees more ease to achieve work-life integration. Give workers as much autonomy as possible to decide when and where they work.<\/p>\nAligning Behavior With Personal Values to Drive Work-Life Integration<\/h2>\n
How Boundary Control Connects to Work-Life Integration<\/h2>\n
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3 Steps for Greater Work-Life Integration<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHow Leaders Can Begin a New Approach<\/h3>\n
1. Reflect.<\/h4>\n
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2. Have Conversations.<\/h4>\n
3. Create a Plan.<\/h4>\n
Wrapping Things Up: Work-Life Integration for Organizational Leaders<\/h2>\n