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Burnout and quality of life challenges are top of mind for me these days - and study after study tells us that we can prevent these issues by prioritizing our health through the strategic use of sick leave and vacation time. This is top of mind for me due to a few recent encounters:
Watching my clients work more than play, including working while feeling unwell and working while on vacation
A recent Linkedin post by Emily Stewart highlighting the big regrets of retired boomers
Hearing a parent say that sending your child to school sick cultivates “good work ethic”
Seeing the evolution of approaches to work and life harmony with younger generations
Let me start with baby boomers and this overworked approach to life. I have great compassion for baby boomers and their generational approach to hard work. These unhealthy behaviors are rooted in the cultural and societal norms of their time, some based on these key reasons:
Work Ethic Culture: Many baby boomers grew up during a time when a strong work ethic was highly valued, often to the point of prioritizing work over personal health. Taking sick leave was often viewed as a sign of weakness, irresponsibility, or lack of dedication.
Job Insecurity: There was a prevailing fear that taking time off could reflect poorly on work performance, leading to job insecurity or missed promotions. This "always on" mentality discouraged boomers from taking sick days, even when needed.
Lack of Boundaries: Baby boomers often struggled with setting boundaries between their personal and professional lives. They were more likely to push through illness, overwork themselves, or ignore self-care, especially if they were in leadership positions or felt responsible for the success of their teams and colleagues. So, they powered through. Those habits and beliefs were passed down to the next generation.
Thankfully there’s a shift in the collective consciousness. The whole person is being considered as we move towards an enhanced quality of life, valuing mental and physical health and its impact on humanity.
There are many things to say about “kids these days” and there are also many things to learn from their generation. They’ve watched us acknowledge suffering as an achievement and some have even experienced the impact of our "work hard, rest in retirement" attitude. I respect their willingness to prioritize their well-being and have great compassion for them in this new set of rules that they are choosing to live life by.
Creating a healthier path forward is a must for us all as we continue in our leadership journeys; this is especially true for anyone who has historically prioritized work over well-being. This new path forward involves implementing practices that promote better physical, mental, and emotional health.
Here are some tips to help cultivate a more harmonious and sustainable approach:
Shift Your Perspective: I invite you to release the term “work-life” balance. Stating “work” first subconsciously suggests work ahead of life. From my perspective, work is a component of your life, not your whole life. Holistically approach it through the lens of experiencing a harmonious life.
Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Health: Give yourself permission to take time off when you're feeling unwell, whether it's a physical illness or mental health challenge. Rest and recovery are crucial for both short- and long-term health.
Identify and Clearly Communicate Boundaries: Setting boundaries is critical for maintaining healthy relationships in all areas of your life. Assess the blurred lines between personal and professional tasks and timelines. Undefined work hours can compromise your well-being or impede on quality time with important personal relationships. Limit work-related tasks to office hours, avoid working during vacation and sick time. If you're retired or semi-retired, set boundaries around how much time you spend on obligations like volunteering or caring for others.
Reframe Your Relationship with Work: Shift from productivity to fulfillment. Rather than defining success by how much work you do or your level of busy-ness, focus on what brings you fulfillment and joy. This mindset shift encourages you to prioritize activities and projects that align with your values and contribute positively to you and your team’s well-being.
Take Mindful Breaks: Incorporate a consistent practice of 5-10 minute mindful moments throughout the day to reset and recharge. Stepping away from tasks can minimize stress, reduce burnout, can lead to greater emotional resilience and increase productivity.
Cultivate Social Connections: Building and maintaining strong personal relationships is crucial for long-term emotional health. Spend time with family and friends, engage in social activities, and connect with supportive communities.
Break the 'Always-On' Mentality: Give yourself permission to rest. Rest is a key component of productivity and longevity. You do not need to be constantly busy to be valuable. Incorporating rest, both mentally and physically, into your daily routine is essential for maintaining overall health.
Reflect on Your Harmonious Life Goals: Take time to assess priorities and reflect on what truly matters to you. Whether it's family, health, personal growth, or contributing to the community, aligning your actions with your priorities ensures you're living in alignment with your values.
This shift in perspective has led many to reflect on their past choices and regret not prioritizing their own well-being when they had the chance.
Here’s the good news:
You have the power to make new choices.
I invite you to gently assess how you feel on most days. Reimagine what a sustainable life of fulfillment with optimal health could be like for you.
Choose a path forward that aligns and moves you towards that desired experience. Cheers to creating a life you love waking up to!
My name is Melanie Foote-Davis and I am The Fulfillment Coach for WeInspireWe. With over 20 years of experience in leadership, training and team development, I discovered that my desire to live and work in harmony was a driving force in my life and is central to my coaching. Through my attention to detail, ability to resolve conflict, reduce employee turnover and support retention, and build relationships, my clients walk away with a stronger connection to themselves and to the worlds they serve. If you are ready to step into a more conscious version of yourself, I’d be honored to guide and support your journey. I invite you to schedule a call with me.