Ep 70: What the Heck is Work-Life Integration? - Coaching Conversations

EPISODE IN BRIEF

In today’s episode of Coaching Conversations, Nick and Chris talk about work-life balance – or work-life integration.

You could be in the office on the phone – or by the pool answering the same call. It’s the luxury of working for yourself AND embracing integration that will change the way you perceive freedom. Forget balance. Think integration.

This eye-opening theory with lead you to think about unrealistic views of achievement at the expense of enormous sacrifice. It simply isn’t necessary with a clever new mindset.

Take notes; as usual, there’s plenty of lightbulb moments when Nick and Chris get together…

Time Code/Show Notes 

0.26  Intro: Business coaching experts Nick Psaila and Chris Herbert talk about work-life balance….

1.40  Nick believes work-life balance involves making a choice                         - between work or life to create ‘balance’. Integration is the buzz. It’s the only way to realistically work smarter.

3.13  Resign to the fact that you are an entrepreneur. Then ignore outside expectations. You choose to do what you do and stop apologising for it.

5.40  In order to have integration between work-life, you need to be honest with yourself. The luxury of being an entrepreneur is the freedom to integrate both worlds.

6.20  Nick is adamant that you learn to make a choice. Say yes to integrating work or leisure when you can. It’s fine to say ‘work is work’ but the blend allows to you not forget about YOU.

10.03  Mini-breaks are mini refreshers. Can you commit to a plan to add in long weekends without the guilt… you should never have a problem with taking time off. You must delete outdated programming. Nick’s own father had ten years of sick leave accrued and they never ‘went away.

15.00  This idea of work-life integration sets you up for a mentally healthy retirement; you must be aware of your life’s purpose before you give away the grind. Depression and suicide rates after retirement are through the roof.

15.30  Start looking for things you like doing NOW. Have goals that involve your hobbies.

17.05 The final step is to set this new thinking of integration as your new norm.

21.40  Many people have an addiction to work which gives them life purpose. This is incredibly dangerous. Your self-esteem should never be a 100 percent attached to your job.

22.20  You have to be the commander – learn to avoid compartmentalizing work and life. There’s more to life than just business. No one wants to perish prematurely.

26.20  Reach out to [email protected] for more insightful stuff on how you can create integrational change to your work-life situation.                                    

 EPISODE SUMMARY       

Today’s takeaway is to allow yourself to LIVE A LITTLE.

You have the power to take time when you need it. Honour yourself to do this – and do it regularly. Make integration the new norm.

Value yourself enough to ensure you put yourself first. Don’t have regrets. Have experiences. It sounds like FOMO but it’s a valid proposition; as humans, we are all made of memories.  

Don’t wait to integrate work and life to make good memories …no excuses, no enormous sacrifices. You can do it now.