Work life balance attracts much comment and various perspectives. Although not strictly a strategic marketing issue, it impacts the types of products and services we provide, how we provide them and management of relationships surrounding our businesses. In harmonizing our lives, strategic planning processes can also be useful.
Ruth Ostrow’s perspective is that working long hours is no longer a sin. In her recent article The love that now dares speak its name, The Australian 17 July 2007 Ruth states that an increasing use of the new term 'workophile' signifies that being addicted to your job is now accepted. Working long hours can have positive effects. Ruth cites research claiming that working long hours diminishes the probability of divorce; and they contribute to happy homes via satisfied individuals who derive meaning and sustenance from their work.
Author & Y&R Brands CEO Nigel Marsh is of a different opinion. In discussing his new book ‘Overworked and Underlaid’, The Australian, 18 July 2007, Nigel said that although hard work is a 'noble thing', working 80 hour weeks strained his marriage and distanced him from his young family.
These sentiments were echoed by author Andrew Griffiths who, in the same article, spoke of how developing bad work habits caused him to take stock. Andrew reset his priorities and gained better health, relationships and income as a result.
Whilst it is easy to let the importance of work and the gratification of doing a job well take over our lives, perhaps it is a matter for each of us to strike the balance which best suits our own situations. Applying the strategic planning principles can assist. Identifying our vision for the kind of life we want; setting goals and then formulating strategies of how to achieve these goals, blueprints how we want to live our lives and increases likelihood of success. As for all good plans, regularly measuring, reviewing and evaluating our progress, and feeding those insights back into the plan for subsequent action – will also be beneficial.
The following are a few items which crossed my desk this week. Hope you find them useful. I am now off to revisit my own plan after being reminded that I’m writing this on a Saturday!
Take Lots of Breaks to Get More Done (Zen Habits)
Manage Your Energy Not Your Time (HBR)
An 18 Minute Plan for Managing Your Day (HBR)
Great info, thanks for useful article. I am waiting for more
Thanks so much for visiting! Am glad you enjoyed the article. It is good strategy to look after our health. Take care. Best wishes