You're literally not getting it

When you hear the term work life balance do you literally think this means an exactly equal distribution between time at work and time away? I don’t. And no one I’ve spoken to does either.

Yet, people keep writing articles claiming that balance should not be our goal because that literal definition is unattainable. No shit. But most of us utilize a more nuanced version of the English language that allow us to understand that balance can simply mean paying attention to all areas of our lives in a way that leaves us fulfilled.

Now I realize that people have books to sell (Balance is Dead!) and consulting practices to grow but that’s no excuse for a complete misunderstanding of how most people talk.

So, you want us to ‘integrate’ work and life more smoothly? Nice. Pretty sure that’s what most of us have been trying to do for years. We just call it balance.

It’s a shame really, because this author seems to have some decent insights into how to achieve that balance. But by hanging his hat on a nonsensical semantic argument (balance vs integration) he is sure to lose quite a few potential fans.

If he simply focused on the more powerful notion that different types of people require very different solutions to achieve a more fulfilling life, he would win over a lot more people.

Well, one more, at least. Anyone else with me?