Now, forgive me for stating what might seem like the obvious, but the key to success is to do what works, correct? So that would mean in working at attaining a good work-life balance, we should also do what works. But this leads to two more questions, the first being “What is a good work-life balance?” and the second being “What works?”

The short answer to this question is “It depends.” Now, before you start wondering why you’re reading an article that doesn’t tell you anything other than the obvious, let me expand that answer a bit.

The true answer is “It depends because these things are different for everyone.” Thus, I can’t tell you what a healthy balance is for you, and I can’t necessarily tell you a step-by-step way to get there. If things were that simple, then there would be precisely one website on the Internet listing these. What I can do is help give you some ideas, and spur some introspection and discussion.

This thought can be applied in any area you are trying to find balance. For example, if you’re trying to find some financial balance by reducing debt, there are a few routes you can take. There’s the debt snowball method which pays debts lowest in total value first or you can go with paying those with the highest interest first. The second method may make more financial sense, but if the debt snowball’s more immediate payoffs in seeing debts disappear make things work better for you, then why not do that? If it gets you out of debt in a way that works, as opposed to forcing you to fit to a method that may not appeal to you, then do what works!

Likewise, this can be applied elsewhere. At the gym do the workouts that you find fun and work for you, not what the other guy is doing because he looks like he enjoys it. Decorate your home in a way that makes you feel comfortable, not necessarily your extended family, friends or neighbours. In the work arena, examine what you want from your work. Is it freedom and flexibility or security and a huge salary? Find something that gives you this while meeting your other needs, and then work becomes a bit easier.

So the key message here is to take a few minutes (or hours, days, weeks or months) and think about what works for you. What kind of balance do you see as the ideal? What are you seeing in different parts of your life at that point? Now, take a look at what you have today. Today is where you’re at, the future ideal is your goal, now start working to make small changes to move you forward on the path towards that goal.

I’ll continue to share things that I’ve found helpful or interesting, and I hope you can find something in them that works for you. Likewise, if there’s ever anything you’d like to see more of, or if you want to share something that’s worked for you, please drop me a line at adam@liveworkbalance.com. I’m always open to input, and I’d love to hear from readers.

Thanks,

Adam

PS. For some interesting sites tangentally related to this post, check out Get Rich Slowly, a great resource for getting out of debt and planning for the future, and also check out a great discussion happening in the comments of this post at Zen Habits, discussing reconciling the acceptance of the present state with the desire for improvement.