Work-Life-Balance defines the division of time and focus between working and family or leisure activities. What does the term mean exactly? Why has the claim of balance gained this importance recently? It may be a hype of GenZ but is opposed by upcoming entrepreneurs working 18 hours a day, getting lost in the “hustle-mode”. What is the correct approach and who decides this?

There are industries like business consulting which promote hustling at least in the beginning of a career. Working at one of the top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, you have to expect core hours from 9 am to 9 pm and an average of working hours per week of 70 to 75 hours.

GenZ on the other hand is often criticized for promoting and implementing work-life balance. However, recently GenZ has been described as the happiest and most productive.

Sustainability is another contemporary and future concept, widespread and important for our future. Part of this is ‘human sustainability’ and Corporate Social Responsibility. The claim for a balanced life seems a logical consequence of this development.

Where and how do we find the balance?

Being overworked is counterproductive. It is also individual. There are studies of how many hours our brain can concentrate in a productive way, and they vary between 2 and 3 hours. After this our brain needs a 20 to 30 minutes break. The attention span for one task is 20 to 30 minutes for an average human adult. Around 11 am we have the best capacity to concentrate. 6 hours a day can be productive, which means 3 sessions. The hours of focus may vary in individuals, and they can be trained, you can get better. However, working hours generally do not correspond focus and productivity. Considering this, the claim for work life balance makes sense and instead of criticizing we could embrace it as a further step to awareness.

Obviously, we are considering a society with white collar workers in a world where primary needs are satisfied. We also talk about a computer, internet and AI society. We do use our brains differently; our perception is faster and more superficial which influences the capacity of focusing and being productive.

With hybrid and remote working we have some more flexibility to adapt to our own rhythm and needs in respect to focus and productivity.

There are drawbacks also. When working remotely it is difficult to set boundaries between private and business life. Your office is always next to you and the tendency is to check e-mails at all times of the day.

Taking a lunch break? Timewise there is flexibility but how many times has it happened that you decide to finally take a break when a call or message is coming in and you want to take it before your lunch? The consequence is that there is no time left for a lunch break before the next meeting.

Also, being at home you feel you want to prove that you are working and committing to the hours. Instead, we should be committed to delivering what we have to deliver. We should be aware of what we are capable of, how long we can concentrate and be productive.

To avoid burnout, we have to set clear boundaries between work and personal life, practicing time management, taking regular breaks, engage in physical activity, pursue hobbies, and communicate openly with supervisors about workload, individual potential in regard and stress level.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to well-being and productivity according to your role and the tasks you must fulfill.

Here are some concrete steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance:

1. Set clear boundaries and do not mix

Establish working hours when working remote and stick to them, also to the breaks. Inform family and colleagues about these times so that you have uninterrupted work – and personal time.

2. Prioritize in private and business life

Create a to-do list with an ‘importance factor’ and deadlines. This helps to stay focused and distinguish high impact tasks and not being overwhelmed.

3. Do not get lost in imposed Zeitgeist attitudes

Hustling is common in certain industries. Work-life balance and a 4-day week among some people. Do not permit to get influenced. Make up your own mind. Figure out what is reasonable for you, your business and society, for sustainable innovation and growth.

4. Use Time Management Techniques privately and at work

You will be surprised how much time a day you waste and you are not even aware of. Wasting time and not doing anything in particular can be fine but it has to be a conscious decision to do so.

5. Delegate and outsource

Sometimes you have to delegate tasks or outsource wherever this is possible and feasible economically.

6. Learn to say no

Politely decline tasks that are not in line with your proper priorities and tasks.

7. Distribute private time and disconnect completely

During private time turn off work-related notifications and decideconsciouslywhat to do with your private time.

8. Set realistic goals, control and get feedback

Targets have to be achievable and in accordance with your role to make sense.Otherwise you will loose your motivation and personal time. Check regularly the achievement and ask for or give yourself a feedback. Successful and happy people do this.

9. Mindfulness and Relaxation – Switch off

Techniques like mindfulness, meditation and breathing can not only help to reduce stress and relax but also to be more focused and productive. They help to address tasks in a calm and conscious way. Learn to still your mind, creativity and innovation will arise.

To find the proper work-life balance is an ongoing process. Conditions and requirements may change during lifetime and situations. It does not necessarily mean to work less. It means to find your centre, the status where your feel that everything is under control and balanced, where you feel in peace, happy and calm and address challenges in a solving way.

This status corresponds the most of productivity. Productivity is not measured by the quantity of tasks accomplished but by the quality.

So is a proper work-life balance.