Work to Live, not Live to Work?

"I want to work to live, not live to work" —> Something I heard from several coaching clients last week. Is this a viable perspective in the current job market?

Yes…AND it’s still necessary to identify your values and find work that is meaningful and satisfying in the context of those values.

I know that a healthy distance between our work and our "selves" feels like a wise defense.

Yes, we're well-advised to distrust the support and security we can expect from our jobs. Why pour so much time and heart into a pursuit that may ultimately betray us, neglect our growth, or even jettison us into unemployment?

The pandemic caused lots of us to rewire our priorities. We discovered the possibility of a life that includes more:

- time with family or friends
- active or outdoor time
- energizing engagement in hobbies or passions

There are also some realities:

- The job market is unpredictable and unstable. It’s important to stay invested in your current success. This is way easier when you care about the impact you're making.

- If things at your current role go sideways, you’ll want your compass ready to guide your path.

- Purpose at work enhances well-being! Too many hours spent on something meaningless to you will take a toll outside of work hours.

I view work-life balance as a goal of living meaningfully both outside and inside of work hours. Doing the work of identifying the important values and impact doesn’t mean overwork. It's possible to be dedicated and driven without sacrificing health and happiness.

(Originally published on LinkedIn)