Work-Life Balance. Is it Possible?

I think it is, but it means something different for all of us and I wonder if that's why so many of us still haven't nailed it. We try out all the 'hacks' but here we are, still resonating with the work-life balance posts.

Since I started using a different approach to my work-life balance, things changed, almost instantly. It was a mindset issue not just a planning issue.

I’m about to take two weeks off at the coast with the family in our caravan. I have client work still to complete before I go, I have to pack up everything and the kids are now too old for the childminders (so they say). Here we go again! Or do we?

Well, actually this year I have felt my most organised yet. No, it’s not perfect (for us) but today I am currently sitting in a glass fronted cafe with my laptop (and coffee, and cake), overlooking the pool. My kids are in there running hell for leather up and down an giant inflatable with their friends, and I’ve just finished up a work task.

I also recently did a some work in the car whilst on the way to Silverstone to watch F1. I wanted to go a day earlier at the last minute so I grabbed my laptop and a Starbucks and off we went .My digital security is on point, so why not! This for me, is hybrid working. (Ok disclaimer here, sharing the story of the sheer effort to get sitters for the kids, dog and lizards for a weekend wouldn't make this a success story so I'm leaving that out!).

But let's take a step back. This isn't just about picking up a laptop and working from anywhere. I tried, with limited success, to hybrid work last summer. We spent 5 of the 6 weeks in our caravan at different places. I told whoever would listen about my quest for hybrid working. This was going to be the best summer yet! My 2nd summer away from corporate. I’d do all the things Instragam says I should be doing as a mother AND run a business. I felt like a super boss woman and every Queen meme felt applicable to me in the run up! #Girlboss #Yasssqueen #mumpreneur …….EUGH……it was a train wreck, in the most part.

I worked from the caravan, from cafes overlooking the ocean, from motorway services (a story for another day). The kids played in rivers, had surf lessons, did forestry classes, rode bikes, played board games. But, I had constant internet issues which doubled my time working and the kids constantly disturbed me so I'd get frustrated. At times it felt awesome and to the kids, it was. But at one point somewhere in Cornwall, I was stuck in Argos waiting for a data pack, whilst my family surfed on the beach. It just felt wrong. I was a complete fraud. This wasn't working. Work-Life Balance is a con. I had a movie style cry on the drive back to them and limped my way through work for the rest of the holiday.

So where did it get better? I realised that the mere fact that I could choose to hybrid work didn't mean it would just happen. It was a steep learning curve and I jumped right into figuring it out. And that's what I want to share with other people like me. Where to start with figuring out how it can work for your own set of circumstances.

Do I think I have the right work-life balance? No, not yet. I have got the flexibility I wanted, but that still sometimes does create pressure on me with work. The breakthrough is that I let it, without guilt. I now also only onboard clients who fit with my values and that has made a huge difference too, for them and for me.

I want this nailed before the year is out. It’s not just a desire, it’s a necessity. For my sanity, for my health, for my family. I have stopped looking at what other people and courses think I should do for work-life balance. I don’t think we can achieve this by looking outwards.

So how will I get my Work-Life Balance? For me it's mindset and well planned hybrid working. How will you get yours?

Take care of yourself !

Becky