Work Life Balance: It Does Truly Matter In Life?

Why work-life balance is essential for a career choice?

The so-called experts would tell you to work hard until you’re 60 so that you can chill for the rest of your life. It was not a straightforward suggestion from a specific person, but I heard the same old story from various people at various points in my life.

Work-life balance is a screwed-up phenomenon in the Indian IT industry. I hear horror stories from my friends who are working in top companies that exploit them by making them work for 13–14 hours every day and even on weekends. You hoped that things would change when you enter the workplace. You thought that things would be under control, but, wait for it. The haunting reality peeks in.

Those who seriously decide to work on time are subjected to random comments about "not working enough" or "leaving on half a day". In contrast, I hear stories from my friends abroad where people cringe if someone stays at the office for long hours. I expected things to change at the workplace, but again with these random comments and unwritten rules, you end up working long hours, taking in the pressure. This time if I quit, the habit will be stuck with me for years.

The human mind is not bound to work long hours. "We are not a robot" Constant breaks and sufficient sleep is what keep you sane and refreshed for the next day.

It is What Takes You to the Next Step

By properly managing your work time, you will have time to improve the skills that will lead you towards your next step. There are a lot of complementary skills you need to develop over time to become a great wizard at what you do.

It Makes a Happy Family

The more time you spend with your family, the happier it is. My father has been working 14 hours every day for the past 30 years. He has the financial stability to support me at all odds but not the emotional stability to support me because he has no clue who I am.

It Gives you Time to Focus on Other Hobbies

Focusing on other hobbies than your actual domain is the birthplace of new ideas. Time spent in the gym or other physical activities will keep you energized. Time spent on art forms will refresh your mind.

It lets you Reflect on Your Day.

Something more important than learning new things is taking time to reflect on your everyday events. Tracking your day will let you course correct the path towards your goal and let you create the kind of life you want.

I think I had sold you the idea of having a work-life balance and convinced you to pursue it. In the end, what matters is the experience and memories you derive from your life and not the number of hours you spent working! You will have time to think, only if you have time to Breathe.