22 December 2007:
Balancing one's career and personal life is the most important goal for nearly six in 10 professionals according to a recent survey by Beyond.com. As the corporate culture now assumes you are available 24x7 with tech tools in hand, this major shift blurs all lines between what is work and leisure time. Beyond.com suggests though that this balance can only be achieved through a partnership with the employer.
Further up the chain of command -- executives told theladders.com in a survey that there were key areas in which they support a work/life balance. Extracting the key data, 62 percent of executives said they (themselves) would place their career on hold to become a stay-at-home dad. But the majority of executives, leading by example, do stay connected while on vacation. Only 35 percent said they would not check e-mail while on holiday. More than half the executives surveyed admitted to cruising for a new job on company time.
Dressing-down is also becoming commonplace in the workplace with 79 percent saying they prefer very casual attire or business casual dress; 62 percent said business casual is the norm already. Forty-one percent frowned upon wearing inappropriate clothing at an office party though.
Executives also give mixed signals on "being yourself" at the office... nearly seven in 10 executives harbor sexual desire with co-workers and 17 percent admit to having an inter-office affair. But during social events executives have zero tolerance for drinking too much and for flirting with co-workers.
Fifty-seven percent of those asked by Beyond.com said that in 2008 the most important workplace goal is to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Less than two in 10 reported their desire to further education to advance their careers, and one in 10 said it was important to improve workplace relationships.
Interestingly enough, 57 percent of executives told theladders.com that higher education (specifically an MBA) was not necessary in the workplace.
“Many people will be making personal New Year’s resolutions; however, having a career-focused resolution can be just as important to a professional’s long-term success and workplace satisfaction,” said Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com.
“More and more, companies are devising ways to help their employees achieve a healthy work-life balance, from telecommuting, to on-site fitness programs and more. We urge employees to take full advantage of these programs and work with their employers to tailor these benefits to best support their individual needs and goals throughout the year,” Milgram said.
The group suggested professionals should suggest to employers what they need to help achieve a healthy work/life balance; create a personal plan towards the goal; enlist support of family and friends towards the goal; keep daily records of successes or failures in reaching these goals.
Now, if you don't have family or friends, the website peoplejam.com may be of service.
PeopleJam is an online video and social networking website for people looking to set goals that will help them maintain a happy, healthy, and balanced life.
Website visitors can interact with each other and with some 150 specialists. Activities include reading expert and member advice, sharing inspirational stories and setting goals in various life categories such as eating healthy, dating, career management and more.
“Reflection, starting over, goal setting, finding ways to be happier and healthier – these are all themes on peoples’ minds on January 1st," said Matt Edelman, CEO and co-founder of PeopleJam.
"Yet often after only a week or two back in the daily grind, we forget these important personal commitments. PeopleJam is an online community that provides a support system and tools to make New Year’s Resolutions and then stick to them throughout the year,” Edelman said.
The website lists some experts on board, including author Alex Pattakos, Aymee Coget, Jackie Black, Libby Gill, David Coleman, and Ary Nunez.
PeopleJam social media content categories include PeopleLive (health and fitness,) PeopleLove (relationships,) PeopleEarn (finance and careers,) PeopleBelieve (inspiration and spirituality,) and PeoplePlay (creativity and fun.)
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