The signs are everywhere that the generation in their 20s, 30s, and 40s live life large.
Travel, outdoors, hobbies, activities with friends and family take top priority in their lives.
They look at life different from their parents. Parents like me worked until they dropped, seeking approval that often never came from bosses who never seemed satisfied.
Two ends of a work life spectrum. Which is better? “Better” implies judgement, that one way is wrong and another is right. We have enough of that kind of judgement in politics. It doesn’t have to be that way.
If we work to live rather than live to work, we draw boundaries around areas of life that are most important to us.
Brett chose to be a real estate appraiser. He is good at it. But he also loves the flexibility and freedom to work at home on his own time to accommodate his hobbies. He works hard but appreciates that he can draw a line and be done for the day in a way that I never could.
I appreciate this balance myself. For years as an HR executive I worked a million hours. My husband, mother and sister chauffeured the kids around. I stepped in where I could. I started my own company in 2004 to satisfy my professional interests, yes, but a big part was to give myself the flexibility to be near my daughter and mother when they needed me most. I could pick up my daughter after school to hear that chatter that only happens in driving conversations. Having breakfast with my mom in this relaxed manner allowed me to get to know her in a personal way I never imagined possible. I cherish those moments that only happened through a more healthy work life balance.
Work / life balance is NOT just a trend. It is a powerful need to give priorities to important life issues.
Young people have the right idea: work to live, not live to work.
How are you prioritizing what is important in your life? What did you do recently outside of work to make a difference?