As we move from summer into the fall work crunch before the holidays, Work Life Balance (WLB) can quickly get lost. One of the biggest discoveries I have made when it comes to defining WLB is that you MUST make it personal.

Here are a few things to consider as you define what WLB looks like for YOU. 
 
1. WLB changes as the specifics of your work or life evolve. What is a priority now will be replaced with a new priority in the future. (You are single and then get into a committed relationship, or you become a parent...as the priorities in your life change so will what makes up your personal WLB.
 
2. WLB is not a stagnant thing.  You will have times that you are working on a deadline or big project and more of your focus will be on work. Then there will be times that you will do the same, but for something in your personal life. Stop trying to make it look the same every week. That is part of what causes stress.

3. WLB is not something to be copied but rather individually defined. How someone else defines WLB has no relevance on what IT will or "should" look like for you. Honor YOU. 

Here is an example of a client of mine to illustrate the different methods of WLB.

My client was traveling on business in Florida. She and her colleagues were to be gone for three days, which meant a lot of client meetings, dinners, lunches...this is how she and her colleagues work things out over those few days.

Sally - is a working mom of three. In the mornings rather than meeting everyone for breakfast she was so excited about sleeping in and having someone else make her breakfast, aka room service.

Kate - is an introverted athlete. So having time to herself every morning to go for a run and get ready for the day was paramount to making this trip a success for her.

Tom - is someone who is all about the work when he travels; he has downtime when he gets home. He needs to get up early, run through the day's events, rehearse and prep with others on the team to feel confident. So meeting with as many team members as possible for breakfast is what works for him.

Can you see how imposing one definition of WLB on any of these people would not have worked? Is one of their approaches wrong? NO, it's personal, which is what gives each of them what they need to achieve the WLB that allows them to be their best.

Take time today and identify what WLB looks like for you. Then make a commitment to live it fully for the next 90 days. I would love to hear how things have changed for you at the end of that time.

Here's to finding what WLB is for you.