Balancing Work With Purpose

by Jul 9, 2018

In the professional world, most people feel at one point or another that their work-life balance isn’t it’s best, or maybe is even non-existent. Emails, phone calls, crises, projects, and other work-related subjects can feel like too much for anyone, from entry level employees all the way up to the CEO.
So if everyone at all levels experiences this, what’s the real problem? This phenomenon must be explainable since it happens to us all across the board of seniority and experience.
In her article here, Carol Tuttle suggests that there are reasons beyond our duties that play into a work-life imbalance.
“But whatever imbalance you see in your outer world is actually happening on a deeper level. In other words, if the outer events of your life feel overwhelming, that’s a sign that you’re living out of balance on the inside. Fix that and the rest will follow.”
Tuttle even has a process to help fix the inner imbalance all of us can experience. She recommends taking a deep breath and remembering three big reasons why we’re all here, and how we find meaning in life:
  • Lessons to learn
  • Experiences to have
  • Service to give
What she’s suggesting is that it all boils down to these three things in life. Since we spend so much of our lives at work, why shouldn’t these things become involved in our jobs? She recommends that finding ways to integrate these three points into work will make us feel more fulfilled, less overwhelmed, and more balanced with our lives both in and outside of work. 
 
Consider what lessons you have to learn from your job. How can you become both better at your role, and better in who you are through your experiences at work?
 
Think about the experiences you’ve already had, and the ones you want to have. This could mean building up a skill, fostering relationships, or obtaining a certification. You can enrich your life experience through work in these ways, as well as many more.
 
Finally, truly consider what services you bring to this world and how you can integrate those into your life at work. This could be participating in or even organizing a fundraiser within your workplace. It could even be something smaller, like realizing that your knack for empathy can be used to help others in your office. Maybe you’re a great organizer, so you can use that to help the workflow in your office. Your service doesn’t have to be over the top: it can be as simple as using a strength of yours to help someone else at work.
Image retrieved from Pexels under the public domain

Recent Posts

Navigating Uncharted Territories

Navigating Uncharted Territories

Part of having hope is being willing to lean into the unknown, knowing you’ll come out the other side. We know you can do it, too! While living in unprecedented circumstances may mean navigating uncharted territories, don’t lose hope. The pros we’ve turned to below...

Wednesday Wellness: Hope

Wednesday Wellness: Hope

Happy Hump Day! You’ve made it to the middle of the week and you can make it through the rest of what your work week has in store--and anything the world throws your way. Just as spring provides a chance for new growth after the cold and darkness of winter, keep your...

Keep Having Hope

Keep Having Hope

Given our theme this week, today we’ll be examining thoughts from the pros on the value of having hope, both in and out of the workplace. These experts provide methods for moving through your fears, skills you can develop more fully now and bring with you into any...

Monday Mood Booster: Hope

Monday Mood Booster: Hope

Welcome back! Spring is in the air. Birds are chirping, fresh breezes are blowing, and sunset grows later and later. While there are a lot of changes happening around all of us, it’s important to take time to enjoy these familiar comforts, to find hope amongst the...

Feel Good Friday: Endurance

Feel Good Friday: Endurance

Happy Friday! You’ve made it to the end of your work week and have just a little bit further to go before you can rest up and recharge over the weekend. If you need inspiration for ways to unwind, take a glance back at our previous post! For today, check out our...

Unwind During Uncertain Times

Unwind During Uncertain Times

Amidst these turbulent circumstances, make sure to give yourself permission to tune out, to enjoy something normal in your life. Give yourself permission to unplug after work, whether that be literally or figuratively. The resources we’ve collected below provide some...

Wednesday Wellness: Endurance

Wednesday Wellness: Endurance

You’ve been working remotely, tackling that change on top of additional workplace transitions. This might feel overwhelming, but you have the strength to endure all of these professional challenges. You have the endurance to weather any storm. Check out the...

How To Persevere At Work

How To Persevere At Work

This time of unprecedented changes may have you feeling blue. But you have the strength to pull through! To help remind you of that, and to help keep you in a positive mindset, we’ve turned to the pros for ways to persevere. They’ve had to overcome obstacles in order...

Monday Mood Booster: Endurance

Monday Mood Booster: Endurance

Right now it may feel like you’re running a marathon. Remember that life is always a marathon rather than a sprint! But in case you need an extra, extra reminder, today’s set of Monday Mood Boosters focus on endurance, both in body and in mind. Kick off your week by...

Feel Good Friday: Positivity

Feel Good Friday: Positivity

Happy Friday! Only one more day to go until the weekend! You have what it takes to get through today so that you can make the most out of a relaxing, renewing couple of days off. To help you get into that mindset, our mood boosting sayings for today will help you...

Your Work Matters

Your Work Matters

During these unprecedented circumstances, it’s easy to lapse into a slump. But keep your chin up! Though it may feel like the work you’re doing doesn’t matter, every task you complete to help your overall organization has a positive impact on the world beyond your...

Wednesday Wellness: Positivity

Wednesday Wellness: Positivity

Happy Hump Day! You’ve made it to the mid-point of the week and Friday’s finish line is in sight! Each day brings us closer to the full-blossoming of spring--and then sunny summer. While the changing circumstances around you might have you feeling blue, we’ve got just...

Sharing Your Workplace Positivity—Remotely

Sharing Your Workplace Positivity—Remotely

Though while working remotely you may be spatially far away from your co-workers, keep in mind that you’re all still connected. Each one of you has something unique to offer up to your organization, your own strengths that contribute to the bigger picture. It can be...

Monday Mood Booster: Positivity

Monday Mood Booster: Positivity

Welcome back! All of the changes occurring to a lot of workplaces right now can be overwhelming; you might be feeling like it’s difficult to stay afloat in your new working environment. But in the words of Dory the Pacific blue tang fish from Finding Nemo, “Just keep...