Work / Life Balance. It’s a common theme in both life and writing, something that affects everyone. I recently participated in a Webinar that added some extra dimensions to this concept. The definition of balance implies that these are the only two things that you are trying to juggle. The reality is that both of these deceptively simple words encompass significantly more.

Let’s take Work for example. As much as I would like to be a full time author, I do have a full time job. In order for me to be successful, I should spend part of my time at work developing my career. So even when I’m at work, I have to worry about balancing my activities there. Training, updating my skills, networking, things that often take a back seat to just getting the job done.

Similarly in regards to Life. Such a nice, simple word but what does it mean? Well if you take away work, then in order to maintain a balance it must be everything else.

Community Involvement, Family Relationship, Intellectual Growth, Spiritual Development, Physical Fitness & Health, Financial Security. These are the major components of ‘Life’ in Work / Life balance that were identified at this webinar.

Sounds kind of overwhelming, doesn’t it? I thought so when I first heard it and yet it also made sense.  But how many of us think about it in those terms? More importantly, what does this do to the concept of Work / Life Balance?

If Life encompasses so many other things, then it should take more of our efforts. Yet this is seldom reflected in how people live their lives. Even today, there are too many people who live to work rather than working to live. Admittedly if you enjoy it, it doesn’t feel like work. As an author I can attest to that. There are few things that can match the feeling you get when you are in the groove and the novel is practically writing itself. But it’s still work. My family is still waiting for me to get off the damn computer and I’m certainly not getting any exercise.

“No one on their deathbed ever said, ‘I wish I spent more time at work.’”

It may a cliché but sayings become clichés for a reason.