• Posted on Dec 20, 2023

Ever felt like you’re walking a tightrope trying to balance work and life? 🤹‍♂️

I have.

My most vivid recollection is after having my first child. I served as adjunct faculty teaching night classes at a college in Virginia. With no dedicated space to pump milk, at my request, the school supported me in using another instructor’s office the nights I taught so I could pump during breaks.

I put construction paper over the door window with painters tape every night. Pumping milk is work, so those nights without a true break were tough, to say the least.

After two decades in #HumanResources and #LeadershipDevelopment, I’ve seen countless folks chase the elusive concept of “work-life balance.” But here’s a little secret I’ve learned: it’s a myth. 🚫⚖️

Instead, *harmony* is a healthier and more realistic goal. 🎶 Imagine an orchestra where every instrument plays a part in creating a beautiful symphony. That’s how our lives can be when we stop trying to balance and start harmonizing.

A favorite way in which I’ve helped harmonize my life (and the lives of my career consulting clients) is through #remotework and #hybridjobs.

In my journey through #Federal, #Nonprofit, and #HigherEducation sectors, I’ve discovered that harmony is about making choices that align with our values and goals. It’s about integrating our work with our life, not setting them against each other.

𝑆𝑜, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑑𝑜 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑦? It starts with understanding that we can’t create more time, but we can make the most of the time we have. It’s about prioritizing, being present, and recognizing that sometimes, the scales will tip—and that’s okay.

As a career consultant and executive HR advisor, I encourage you to reflect on how you can create harmony in your own life. How can you create harmony in the workplace? What can you do to model the way so employees don’t feel like they need to miss important family events to work?

What small changes can you make to ensure your work and personal life are playing a beautiful tune together?

This requires courage, sensitivity, and cultural competence. Why cultural competence? Because what rest and harmony mean to me may not be the same for you (or those you’re leading).

👉 I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this. How do you create work-life harmony? 💡

#WorkLifeHarmony #ThoughtLeadership #CareerGrowth

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💜 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝗯𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗖. 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲

🔑 Providing HR consulting, podcast + event speaking, inclusive workplace sexual harassment training, and heart-centered outplacement services for progressive nonprofits, higherEd, and federal
agencies.

★ Helping LGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks leverage their career for joy and financial freedom via #lovecareerfreedom and #loveremotefreedom career consulting

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