The Ultimate Guide to Finding TRUE Work-Life Integration (Not Balance)
Debunking 3 Common Work-Life Balance Myths for Women and Giving You 5 Practical Ways to Achieve the Balance You Want.
"How do you deal with situations where male coworkers ask you how you're going to balance your work and family responsibilities while having kids?"
This was asked by one of my participants in my most recent Women’s Empowerment Workshop.
She was trying to figure out how to deal with this sexist question that her husband would never be asked.
When men and women are treated differently, it makes women angry and resentful, and we have to learn how to hide these feelings at work.
The good news is ---
What we need is INTEGRATION and to stop the search for balance that doesn’t exist.
We also need to fully reject a disturbing portion of our population that is trying to set the clock back to a time that doesn’t honor women as full human beings with diversified and dynamic desires.
Contrary to what Harrison Butker, kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, said as the commencement speaker at Benedictine College, women are whole human beings who have dreams and careers that they want to pursue.
Women having professional aspirations is not a “dangerous gender ideology,” as he said.
Furthermore, in today’s economy, the way in which the wealthy 1% assume that 99% of the population can comfortably live without both partners having well-paid and successful careers is offensive.
The truth is —
Statistically, women provide the majority of domestic and emotional labor in the household as partners and mothers while also pursuing their careers.
So, what is a woman advised to do when she has the weight of unequal standards placed on her shoulders?
She’s told to work even harder to achieve work/life balance—
A balance that, on a daily basis, does not exist.
The guilt and shame spiral continues when we can’t seem to “get it together” enough to balance an overwhelming number of responsibilities.
It becomes just another way for women to feel like they can’t measure up to an impossible standard.
Created by whom?
When and where did the myth of achieving work-life balance start to make its way into modern vocabulary, adding more responsibility for us to solve more problems to the heavy workload we already carry?
Achieving work-life balance is a concept that feeds our insecurities and doubts when we undoubtedly fail at this mythological “answer” to our exhaustion.
For women, the search to find balance in our lives is difficult to achieve.
We perceive others to have found it and we want it too.
We often find ourselves in a state of constant busyness, overwhelmed by our schedules, and feeling like we consistently fall short in various areas of our lives.
The exhaustion of continually feeling like we fall short and the impact it has on our self-esteem can be incredibly draining.
If you can relate to this topic —
I want to provide you with comfort by debunking common misconceptions and presenting practical solutions.
This guide will help provide you with the relief you need.
But first,
Let's rebrand work-life balance.
What we actually seek is Work-life Integration for Empowered Living.
Myth #1: Balance INTEGRATION is Achievable
Believe it or not,
There's no magic formula, and no one really has it figured out unless they have the privilege of professional flexibility and the ability to delegate some of their household workload.
There is no way to add more hours into the day. We cannot alter biology and make humans effective on only 2 hours of sleep.
No one has hacked a way to be a full-time mom, full-time career woman, part-time volunteer for 2 or more organizations, a chef, a house cleaner, a travel agent, a daughter, and the many other hats you have hidden in the back of your closet.
Just because you’re unable to be SUPERHUMAN does not make you LESS ACCOMPLISHED.
Myth #2: Women Can "Have It All"
Now, here's the kicker,
The idea that women can "have it all" is misleading.
BALANCE does NOT EXIST on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.
We can't evenly divide our time and energy among our family, careers, friends, and unexpected obligations like caring for relatives.
Our lives consist of seasons—
Times when one activity demands more attention.
Work-life integration means looking at the bigger picture over years and a lifetime, rather than day-to-day balance.
Solution #1: Define Your Own Success
The good news,
You can define what balance and success mean to you in your current life season, rather than adhering to societal definitions.
When your season changes, change your definitions.
Your definition should make you feel good and grounded.
Trust me,
Allow yourself to go "all in" in the area of life you choose.
If you’re in a season of heavy career workload, decide how much time you need to dedicate to family obligations.
Be realistic—
Remember, there are only 24 hours in a day, with 7-8 hours needed for sleep.
Identify the tasks or time commitments that are non-negotiable for your well-being.
Solution #2: Set Boundaries and Delegate
Ask yourself repeatedly –
What am I trying to solve that isn’t my problem?
We often fall into the habit of solving others' problems, adding unnecessary stress.
Return these problems to their rightful owners and set strong boundaries.
Learn to say NO.
There’s no award for solving the most problems for others.
Have honest conversations with your partner about the distribution of labor.
Expect and allow for support, even if tasks aren't done exactly as you would do them.
Avoid tolerating weaponized incompetence.
Having tasks done is better than adding them to your list.
Solution #3: Prioritize Self-Care
Believe it or not, no matter your current season, prioritize self-care and your mental and physical well-being.
It’s often the first thing we neglect when overwhelmed.
We cut down on sleep, eat on the go, and skip exercise.
To achieve your goals and be present for your family, you must take care of yourself.
Self-care helps you be more present with the people and activities that matter most.
Solution #4: Let Go of Perfection
Release the fallacy of PERFECTION.
The media often portrays an ideal of a perfectly clean house, a high-pressure job, and children excelling in everything.
Focus on what’s important and meaningful to you.
Accept that PERFECTION is neither achievable nor necessary.
Conclusion:
Let go of the guilt associated with pursuing our dreams and potential as professional women while caring for our families.
By doing so, we teach our sons, daughters, and those around us what it truly means to be a whole woman with aspirations and personal commitments.
Are you ready to step into the next season of your life with confidence?
I help women like you:
- Feel empowered.
- Let go of the guilt and shame you do not deserve.
- Work to achieve your highest aspirations.
- And enjoy the life you are living with confidence.
NO PRESSURE, NO COST, just PURE EMPOWERMENT.
Schedule your FREE Consultation today!
Discover how we can work on your journey to empowerment and fulfillment.
Don't wait, your EMPOWERED future is just a few clicks away.
Make sure to sign up for my email list to get information only available through email, notification of special events, offers and more.
