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Peninsula Kids
Home»Health»Why work-life balance is a myth, and how to create a fulfilling lifestyle!
Health

Why work-life balance is a myth, and how to create a fulfilling lifestyle!

Updated:January 25, 20235 Mins Read
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By John Drury

The most talked-about and well-publicised strategy recommended to manage our very busy lives is ‘work–life balance’. This term originated sometime during the early 20th century with regard to improved working conditions and shorter working hours for factory workers. It was meant to describe the idea that there should be reasonable balance between work and the rest of our lives. It implies that like a seesaw, there is an optimum point of balance that will work for each of us.

So, what would you think if I told you this is all a myth? That work–life balance doesn’t actually exist? And that in trying to chase this dream we are actually making ourselves sick?

Passion destroys balance

Most high achievers are passionate about their business, their careers, and their success. Yet passion and drive are the enemies of balance. By definition, if you are passionate you are going to always be out of balance. Passion means you are likely to find it difficult to turn off your brain when you leave your workplace. Passion means your mind will often be solving business problems in the night or when you are driving the car. High achievers can be made to feel guilty by the concept of ‘work–life balance’. They might even be viewed as workaholics by the majority of people for whom work is a job, just a means to income.

The concept of ‘work-life balance’ may have been well intended, but it is unhelpful in the 21st century. It puts work against life, creating an unnecessary conflict. Work is part of life, not against life. There is no seesaw that needs to be in balance. Rather, each of us has a whole life, every segment of which needs to be integrated in such a way that we can prosper and flourish.

‘Integrate’ is a much better idea

For high achievers, work is connected to purpose, not just a means of making money. When passion is involved it is easy to spend time and energy working, or thinking about and planning some aspect of work. It is easy to become engrossed and lose all sense of time.

The challenge becomes how to ensure that our work does not consume us in a way that hurts our health or the people we love.

There are seasons when work dominates everything, like when you start a new business, or work on a major project. There are also times when an important family issue will require more attention. Most of the time, in order to create a fulfilling life, we need to find a way to ensure there is progress in every important relationship and area of our lives.

The truth is that issues that undermine or sabotage business success are more likely to come from neglected areas of your personal life than they ever are from your competitors, the economy or any external source. Like every other important area of your life, your work needs to be integrated in such a way that it does not overwhelm and hurt all the other parts of your life.

TIPS TO INTEGRATE WORK AS PART OF YOUR LIFE

Map your world – Draw 10 circles on a page. Write down each of the key responsibilities you have in life; one per circle. Add circles if needed. Potential categories include: personal growth & learning, wealth creation, health & fitness, life partner, fun/leisure, friends, wider family, children, work/business, etc. You may need more than one circle for different parts of your work roles.

Decide what is important – Just as ‘homicide’ mean ‘kill a person’, so ‘decide’ means ‘to kill off options’. We really must deal with the fear of missing out. Choose what you want in life. Set boundaries around all that is important. Without healthy self-respect, this step is very challenging for some people. (For more, read my book)

Set ‘whole of life’ goals – Once you have determined the important areas of your life, you need to proactively set goals for how you want that area to look in a year. You move towards what you focus on. Goals sharpen focus.

Make plans – A goal without a plan is a wish. Most wishes do not happen. Make a simple plan that will help you achieve your goals for each area of your life. You are best to set annual goals and make 90-day plans. So much happens in our busy lives that plans need constant revision to ensure they happen.

Take consistent action – Plans are useless without action. Get your plans into your calendar. The first thing my wife and I put on our year planner is our holidays. That way they always happen.

‘Normal’ has been redefined over the past 20 years by the internet, smart phones and a global marketplace. You cannot work hard and hope that everything else just falls into place anymore. More and more people are dropping the important balls in the crazy juggle of life. The tips outlined above are a great starting place to integrate work with the rest of your life and creating a fulfilling lifestyle.   


John Drury is a Business Mentor who works with busy high achievers to assist them achieve sustainable business success AND create a great lifestyle for themselves and their family.

John is also in demand as a keynote speaker, and is author of ‘INTEGRATE – why work-life balance is a myth and what you really need to create a fulfilling lifestyle’.

To connect with John go to www.johndrury.biz and follow him on Twitter @JDBizMentor and Instagram @JDBizMentor

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If this is your first experience of winter with a baby you might be wondering what you need to do to protect them from the elements. Babywearing is a wonderful start as you each warm the other. You can top that up with hats, mittens and booties but go easy with coats and suits. Rather than thick single garments, add an extra layer or two. Avoid bulky hoods which can restrict free head movement. Keep in mind, as you rug them up, that your body is a wonderful heat bank for your child. Light layers plus protection for the head, hands and feet is the way to go. You can pop “baby legs” leg warmers on to keep exposed legs warmer. Read more here: https://peninsulakids.com.au/baby-its-cold-outside/ Or via link to mag in bio. #babyitscoldoutside @peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids
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👀😮 Ooooh..this looks gooooood. Has anyone read the book? Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August! The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are pleased to announce the thrilling six-part suburban mystery drama series The Family Next Door will premiere on Sunday 10 August at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. It’s peak holiday season in the popular seaside town of Osprey Point when an enigmatic stranger, Isabelle (Palmer) rents a family home in a quiet cul-de-sac. As Isabelle charms her way into her neighbours’ homes and lives, she quickly discovers that everyone at Pleasant Court has something to hide. How far will her obsessive drive to solve a mystery push her to expose the truth? Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name, this sophisticated and entertaining mystery blends drama and humour while exploring family dynamics through the unique lens of award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown) and Emma Freeman’s (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) character-driven directorial skills. #abciview #sallyhepworth #thefamilynextdoor
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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August! An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle. The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected. This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment. See it on Friday 22 August at 11am or 6pm at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060. #whatson #fac #kidstheatre #frankstonartscentre #beetlebylegsonthewall @the_fac
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Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
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Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025. Tickets and information: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/ #sesamestreetcircus @sesamestreetcircus @cavanaghpr
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❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰 🌬️ Link to read in bio ———————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
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