The Optimal Work-Life Balance

With over a decade of experience in human resources and staff management for a leading Michigan IT service company, I am often asked about common hiring pitfalls and office management best practices. By far the most frequent question I am asked is “How do you achieve the optimal work-life balance in your office?”

To best answer this question, I have to answer from the perspective of both the employer and the employee. 

How to provide the best work-life balance for your employees

Potential employees often bring up this topic during the interview process. They typically have many questions about our company and how our work-life balance philosophy fits into their lifestyle. To those eager, often young potential hires, my response is always this: If you deliver your best, there’s no need to worry about work-life balance.

Our leadership team strives to make our office a comfortable and inviting place for our employees, where creativity and collaboration in problem solving is encouraged. Our employee incentive program ensures that all employees are giving their best effort each and every day by doing even the little things that benefit the company.

Overall, creating a stimulating work environment and a vibrant company culture is the best way to ensure that employees aren’t constantly worried about achieving a work-life balance. By constructing this type of culture, the workplace is already incorporated into a balanced lifestyle.

How to achieve the best work-life balance as an employee

From the perspective of an employee, my philosophy on work-life balance is much the same: If you deliver your best, there’s no need to worry about work-life balance.

The advice I give to the Michigan computer consultants at our company is to “leave it all on the field.” If you’ve completely utilized your 8 hours in the office to the best of your ability, then you can go home at the end of the day and feel good about your productivity and take pride in helping your company. The same goes for home life. If you deliver your best at home, you don’t have to worry about work-life balance. Be the best mother, father, son, daughter, aunt, or uncle you can be. Don’t short yourself at work by underachieving or focusing on outside distractions, and don’t short yourself at home either. 

No matter where you are, always deliver your best.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, I highly recommend Seth Godin’s book “Linchpin”, which provides an excellent view on delivering your best in a positive way.