Recent research shows that Australian workers are prioritizing work-life balance, with 65% choosing balance over pay, ranking the country eighth for work-life balance globally, with an average workweek of 32.3 hours. New Zealand tops the list for the third year in a row, mainly due to its six-month paid maternity leave.*
I prefer the term life balance (“balance” being the operative word!). In my experience, “work” is simply another component of our lives, along with relationships, family, friends, social life, hobbies, and other activities we engage in, like sports, the gym, or bike riding.
For men, the focus on work can be particularly troublesome, as many of us gain a deep sense of identity from what we do, especially if we are the main financial provider for a family. The issue can then become putting in longer hours to be a better provider, perhaps seeking feelings of worthiness and value, which we get by supporting and contributing to those we love.
Sometimes, we may receive little to no acknowledgement or recognition for our efforts, which then feeds any unworthiness we have, so we compensate by working “harder,” leading to stress, overwhelm, burnout, chronic health conditions, and even premature death. It really can become a vicious and unrelenting cycle. So, what can we change?
MEASURING WELL-BEING
A feeling of well-being means we feel well in our being, measured across our physical, emotional, mental, and social health. It makes sense, then, to ensure that we develop an awareness of the quality of our well-being. Take a moment to think about the last time you felt your life was in inner and outer harmony.
As an example, when we’re struggling—whether internally with stress or a health issue, or externally with a troubled relationship, family, or poor work environment—it can feel like we’re the mythological Sisyphus, pushing the proverbial weight of the world uphill, feeling that if we let go even for a moment, we’ll tumble back down and have to start all over again.
So, we push on, regardless of the personal cost, in the hope that, somewhere, in our yet-to-be-lived future, we will find some respite. Sadly, we’re disappointed more often than not, as the cavalry rarely shows up to save us, reinforcing that it’s on us to save ourselves. Alternatively, when our relationship with ourselves is strong and in balance, it feels like we can take on the world. We manage stress more effectively, find energy for fitness, experience improved mental clarity, regulate our emotional state, tend to eat better, and enjoy deep, restorative sleep.
With the former, we’re far from our best, making do with what limited capacities we have, while in the latter, we’re functioning at our best across all areas of our lives. If one area does require more attention, we at least have the awareness and resources to focus on the immediate need and, more importantly, know what we must do to restore life balance.
PRIORITIZING WELL-BEING
When we prioritize our well-being, we naturally improve across all areas of our lives. We find more patience and presence; listen more to understand than reply; create and value time with those we love; and present a much more settled mood and demeanor. We feel more socially adept and, therefore, more inclined to seek out social events.
If you are in a role where you need to lead, whether employed or as a business person or entrepreneur, who would you rather “follow”: someone who carries a settled and centred presence, has the right balance of heart and backbone, demonstrates relational intelligence, and supports the team—or one who is always stressed; emotionally, physically, and mentally unwell; and doesn’t have the wherewithal to grow the people he leads?
Our well-being significantly affects all areas of our life. Therefore, we must ensure that we’re regularly investing in things that fill our tank to ensure the quality of our well-being is maintained. After all, trying to pour from a perpetual empty cup doesn’t work for anyone.
John Broadbent, author of Man Unplugged, is a specialist coach, mentor, retreat creator, and facilitator with nearly 30 years of experience in men’s personal development. He has witnessed firsthand the profound impact societal stereotypes have on boys and men, including his own sons, and leads rite-of-passage programs for men navigating significant life transitions. Find out more at manunplugged.com.au
*Editor’s note: The U.S. ranks no. 59 out of 60 countries evaluated for work-life balance.
