Work/Life Balance

Ahh the perennial argument for working folks is how to strike a balance between the life you have at work and the life outside of work. As technology enables us to be connected all the time there seems to be an expectation that no matter where you are or what you're doing you'll answer the mighty call from your employer and do a bit of work.

As a Consultant there is a certain expectation that I'll be available but that's because my cell phone is basically my office even though my company doesn't pay for it. So far I haven't gotten too many calls but I've seen examples of people getting calls or emails after hours, on vacation, and on the weekends. I know that in Europe and maybe even pockets of Asia (maybe) there are limits and sometimes I think they actually live a better life than I do. To me there is one precious commodity that is in very limited supply and that is time.

So far I've been pretty happy that my managers are trying to keep me to the 40 hours a week deal but every so often it bleeds over into after hours. Although as a whole, I think that the fine line between work and leisure are getting blurred. I'll even admit myself that I sometimes check my work email from time to time but I've gotten better at turning it off and being truly AWAY.

I do know that when I get into a management position I will be one of the big advocates of work life balance. All this work doesn't really net you anything except stress and a paycheck. It's the ability to do things outside of work that count like spending time with family and friends and doing the things that really matter. Maybe I'll do some crazy thing like go to Europe and bask in the glory of the 35 hours work week. Then again I like being in the US too much so maybe not. Only time will tell.