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How often do we hear the phrase “work-life balance”? We’re led to believe it’s like the Holy Grail—something we’re all searching for, and yet, for many, it remains just out of reach.
But, what if it’s the very idea of work-life balance that is the issue?
I have long held the belief that “work-life balance” simply doesn’t exist. In fact, I’ll go further, because, having coached women in business for many years, I firmly believe the term is a huge misnomer representing yet another “stick” with which we can beat ourselves and unintentionally burden ourselves with guilt. Spending time with the family, rather than working? Guilt! Focusing on work instead of the kids? Guilt!
Can you tell I’m not a fan?!
Let’s talk about why that’s the case and why work-life integration might just be the better solution.
The concept of work-life balance paints a picture of two distinct worlds: one where you focus on your career, and the other where you dedicate time to your personal life. The idea is that you can neatly separate these two, giving each equal attention.
It sounds great in theory, right? But in practice, achieving work-life balance is almost impossible—especially for ambitious women juggling multiple roles.
As women in business, we are often expected to excel at work while simultaneously managing our personal responsibilities, whether it’s caring for children, supporting a partner, playing the dutiful extended family member or staying active in social commitments.
This idea of neatly packaging our time equally between work and life creates a sense of tension, as we’re left trying to do everything at once. It’s exhausting, overwhelming, and—let’s be honest—rarely achievable.
So, if work-life balance is a myth, what’s the solution?
The answer, I believe, is work-life integration. Work-life integration doesn’t try to separate work and personal life into neat little boxes. Instead, it acknowledges that, especially for women, both aspects of life will often overlap.
The goal is not to “balance” them equally but to integrate them in a way that works for you. Think of it as a dynamic flow between your work and personal life, where you set boundaries that honour both but allow for flexibility and overlap when necessary.
For example, maybe your child has a school event during work hours. With work-life integration, you can adjust your schedule to attend the event, knowing that you’ll make up the time later, or that you can handle some work tasks while you’re there.
Similarly, if an important work project needs attention during family time, work-life integration allows you to handle it without feeling guilty or stressed about the “balance.”
Now that we’ve established that the myth of work-life balance doesn’t serve us, how can we embrace work-life integration in a way that is both realistic and sustainable? Here are a few strategies to help you achieve work-life integration:
It all starts with identifying your priorities.
What is most important to you, both in your career and in your personal life?
It’s important to be brutally honest with yourself here. It’s ok to prioritise work as well as family without feeling guilty. Your work is a big part of both your life and, for most of us, our identity. Recognising these priorities helps you make decisions that align with your values.
When you know what truly matters, you’ll be able to integrate work and life in a way that supports those priorities, rather than constantly feeling like you’re sacrificing one for the other.
Rigid schedules can be a major barrier to work-life integration. If you’re constantly trying to adhere to a “9-to-5” workday, you’ll quickly find that life—and work—don’t always fit into that box.
Instead, embrace a flexible approach. If you need to take a break during the day to recharge, do it. If you need to work at night to meet a deadline, allow yourself that flexibility. Flexibility helps you adapt to both the predictable and the unpredictable parts of life.
Technology can be a huge asset in achieving work-life integration. With tools like shared calendars, project management software, and communication apps, it’s easier to manage your professional and personal commitments in one place. These tools help you stay organised and make the integration process smoother.
One of the common challenges women face when integrating work and life is the lack of clear boundaries. If you’re always “on,” it can lead to burnout. The key is to set boundaries that reflect your personal and professional needs.
Maybe that’s setting certain times for family, or perhaps it means ensuring you have time for self-care every week. Whatever your boundaries are, it’s important to make sure they support both aspects of your life.
You’re not going to get it right every time—and that’s okay. Work-life integration is an ongoing process, and there will be times when work takes precedence over personal matters, or vice versa. Be kind to yourself when things don’t go according to plan. Self-compassion is essential for maintaining a healthy mindset and staying resilient in the face of the challenges of modern life.
Often, we have an expectation that I like to call the “Superwoman Factor”- the belief that we can do it all; keep multiple balls juggling as we simultaneously collect our awards for Business Person of the Year, and Mum of the Century, all the while delivering on a work deadline and cooking a delicious and nutritious meal for our family.
Interestingly, this expectation often comes not from external sources, or others’ expectations, but internal ones; often we feel a failure if we perceive we have dropped one of the balls we are juggling.
In this instance, it can be useful to list all the balls we are trying to keep airborne, and identify which are the “glass” ones, i.e. those that cannot be dropped for fear of them shattering, and those which are “plastic”, and will therefore bounce if dropped. It’s an easy exercise in recognising those things that really matter to you in life.
Part of achieving work-life integration is recognising that you don’t have to handle everything by yourself. Whether it’s delegating tasks at work, hiring help at home, or asking for support from loved ones, letting go of some responsibilities can free up mental and physical space for you to focus on what truly matters.
The truth is, achieving work-life integration isn’t just about managing your time better—it’s about shifting your mindset.
When you stop viewing work and life as two competing forces and start seeing them as interconnected parts of your whole self, you’ll feel more empowered to move forward with confidence. This shift allows you to show up as your best self, whether you’re in a boardroom, at home, or out with friends.
As women in business, we know that trying to “balance” work and life is an unrealistic expectation. Instead, embracing work-life integration offers a more practical, sustainable approach. It allows you to thrive in both areas without feeling like you have to sacrifice one for the other.
Are you ready to make the shift to work-life integration? Take the first steps today by evaluating your priorities, embracing flexibility, and setting the boundaries that will allow you to thrive.
And remember: You don’t have to do this alone. If you need guidance on integrating your personal and professional lives with more ease and success, don’t hesitate to book a FREE strategy call with me.
Let’s create a work-life integration plan that works for you.
