Work is an important part of our lives, but it is just that, only part of it. So instead of work/life balance maybe we should be thinking about “Life Balance”.
There are a lot of things that make up a satisfying and fulfilling life.  I have taken this exercise from “The Way we are working isn’t working” by Tony Schwartz. It is a great way to look closely at the energy you put into the different areas of your life relative to what you want from them.

1. In column 1 rate on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being low and 10 being high, how important each of the aspects listed is in your life. Two or more items can have the same ranking.
2. In column 2, estimate how much time and energy you put into the different dimensions listed. Again score out of 10.
3. Now subtract column 2 from column one and put the number in column 3.
   Column 1 is a reflection of what you value – what you aspire to in that dimension of your life. Column 2 is a reflection of how you actually live, and column 3 is a measure of the gap between the two.

The ideal number for column 3 is of course 0.
What is it saying to you?

• How well is your behaviour aligned with you values and beliefs as reflected in column 1?
• What is the priority area for you to work on?
• What strengths can you use to close the gap?
• What can you learn from previous successes that will help you?
• What will you do it and by when?
• What will get in your way?
• How will you overcome any obstacles?
• What support can you enlist to make it happen?
• By doing this exercise what is your biggest takeaway?

To assist with your reflection I have put a favourite quote below.
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again
and expecting different results.”
Albert Einstein, (attributed) physicist (1879 – 1955)
Since doing this exercise myself, I have certainly undertaken to do a few things differently and make sure I check in with myself more often to review where I am at.
Good luck with it!