Written by Stella H. Kim
Published July 17, 2024
On Achieving Harmony between Work and Life through Work-Life Integration
HRCap Work-Life Integration VALUE Tips
Are we all truly satisfied with our work?
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 47.8 million employees quit their jobs in 2021, 50.6 million in 2022, and 44.5 million in 2023.
With the onset of the pandemic, many quit their jobs to recalibrate and seek purpose in life after suffering from disengagement and both mental and physical burnout. The Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting not only highlighted the direct impact of job satisfaction on life satisfaction but also demonstrated the deep connection between work and life.
What does it mean to work with fulfillment and satisfaction? Rather than only asking if we are content at our current organization, we must also deeply reflect on whether we find true meaning in our work, feel passionate about our career path, and experience both personal and professional development.
HRCap, a Top 10 Global Executive Search & HR Consulting firm, coaches and advises more than 2,000 global candidates weekly and strategically recommends them to our VIP clients for better-fitted career opportunities. We found that 4 out of 10 candidates leave their current jobs because they are unhappy with the organization and the work they do, while the greater 6 out of 10 still remain open to new opportunities to pursue greater value even though they are content with their current jobs. The values that these candidates seek include new challenging growth opportunities, a future-proofed corporate vision, and a diverse, yet socially conscious, corporate culture.
Those who focus on ‘value’ pursue Work-Life Integration, not Work-Life Balance. They see work and life from the same perspective and strive to create a harmonious blend between work and life, ultimately gaining greater energy and vitality from the work they do. By not focusing on ‘time’ to strike a perfect 50:50 balance between work and life, they are able to see work not as labor but as a means for self-actualization and personal growth.
HRCap has effectively offered career coaching with our Work-Life Integration VALUE Tips:
Vocalize Priorities – Tackle important tasks during the most productive hours. We can better manage our time and conserve our energy by completing priority tasks when we can best focus.
Act with Ownership – Take responsibility and maintain a proactive attitude. Instead of treating work as labor, we must take greater ownership with a sense of calling to prevent future burnout.
Learn to Adapt – Find unique rhythm and create synergy with flexibility. We must be willing to adjust to any environment.
Upskill for Growth – Remain intellectually curious and develop a growth mindset. We must challenge ourselves and seek continuous learning each day to gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving market today.
Establish Boundaries – Set expectations and honor personal boundaries. With the current digital world and hybrid work environment, we must learn to say no firmly yet respectfully to remain on task and achieve our goals through work-life integration.
If we are still unable to achieve Work-Life Integration even with HRCap’s Work-Life Integration VALUE Tips, we are most likely focused on seeking Work-Life Balance instead. If so, I invite us to reexamine the work we do, reflect on our passion and purpose in life, and revitalize by considering a different career where we ideally pursue that Work-Life Integration.
Stella H. Kim, SPHR
HRCap – SVP, Head of Americas & Chief Marketing Officer
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