A Powerful Statement
A personal work/life balance statement is a one-page document that articulates how your
values and priorities translate into concrete decisions and actions where work/life balance
is concerned. In addition to using the below tips for your own personal work/life balance
statement, consider sharing these guidelines with clients who are struggling to achieve
greater balance in their own lives.
1. Start by listing your nonnegotiables. A nonnegotiable is a life principle or fundamental
aspiration that, if not honored or met, creates a deep sense of misalignment between who
we are and who we want to be. I stumbled on this concept when my seven-year-old son
asked me during dinner one evening, “How come you never pick me up from school while
all my friends are picked up by their mothers?” A knot formed in my stomach that lasted
for several weeks, until I finally understood why his remark impacted me so deeply. What
he said violently contradicted a fundamental principle of mine: Being a good mother was a
must for me, period.
2. Identify your daily, weekly and monthly “musts,” by translating your
nonnegotiables into practical applications. For example, if being a good mother is one
of my nonnegotiables, the practical daily manifestation of this is picking my son up from
school each day.
3. Keep your list visible at home and at your desk at work. Review it often.
4. Share your personal work/life balance statement with key stakeholders in your
home and work life.
5. Be flexible, but not at the expense of your nonnegotiables.
Here is an example of a personal work/life balance statement:
• When I am traveling, I don’t mind working nonstop and/or very late.
• I will avoid calls/meetings from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• I will work after 9:30 p.m. if needed, but no more than three times per week.
• I will drive my kids to school in the morning.
• I will always keep all of my children’s and family’s events in my calendar.
• I will limit work on weekends to Sunday evenings.
• I will review this mission statement on the first day of each month. Where I am not meeting
the targets stated above I will log the reasons for this and make appropriate changes. I will
include this as part of my regular one-on-one conversations with my manager.
Coaching World 21