Perspective on Work and Life

What really matters

Recently, one of our leadership class participants said something that has stuck with me: “It’s not really work/life balance; it’s work/life compromise.”

My feeling about this is that it is both more accurate… and more depressing.

Work is important. Your career is important. Your company and your clients are important. But if you had to flee a natural disaster or an invading army and could only take what you could fit in a wheelbarrow, odds are that the client files don’t make the cut.

(Pause as you picture your spouse and kids trying to find a balance position in a wheelbarrow as you push them, the cat carrier dangling from one handle).

Remember to put time and energy toward the things that matter most to you. Encourage your team members to do the same. Work matters, but there are things that matter even more.

(image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228827627253487&set=a.10200327367284800)