There have been thousands of articles written about work-life balance. There is a theory that you can balance your home life with your work.
Crock of beans!
How can something that takes 50-60 hours a week compete with your family? Work does and always will dominate a person’s life.
Work is a necessity for survival and it takes a significant amount of time each week. No other options.
Facing the fact that work takes a significant amount of time each week is the first step towards coming to terms with the problem.
It gets worse when you plot to climb the corporate ladder. The 50-60 hours each week turn into 80-90 hours and your personal life goes poof!
Look at the life of all executives and there will be a significant number of divorces and other major life problems. It is a huge price to pay for promotions.
I am not dissing promotions…just want to point out the sacrifice you will make.
There are 168 hours in a week.
Work time, including commuting to the office, will take a minimum of 50 hours. About 30% of the week.
Sleep (should) take 8 hours a night for a total of 56 hours or 33% of the week. There goes 106 hours each week for a total of 63%.
Personal activities (showers, grooming, making meals, etc.) will take a minimum of 14 hours a week. We are now down to just under 7 hours a day.
If we remove 28 hours for Saturday and Sunday, we end up with just 4 hours per day for any personal activities. Reading, personal development, spending time with your spouse and children fill up all of that time.
For most of us, we end up with just 36% each week for family and friends not to mention running to the grocery store and taking care of personal activities.