Empowering your personal success through work-life harmony

In today's fast-paced world, the traditional notion of work-life balance has evolved into a more nuanced concept: work-life harmony. Unlike balance, which suggests a static division of time and energy, harmony emphasizes the integration and synergy between work and personal life. It's about creating a holistic and sustainable approach that nurtures well-being in all facets of our lives. Insights from It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast shed light on strategies from industry leaders:

• Understanding our Priorities is fundamental to achieving work-life harmony. It’s Personal Stories Principal and former COO of AAHOA Rachel Humphrey shared that spring break was family time together every year. Even when it fell a week before the AAHOA Convention, she would go on spring break and be present with her family. She also suggested that not all things are important to her children. For example, reading for a day to her kids at school was appreciated, but they preferred to decorate cupcakes with their friends without her presence. Upon reflection, although she didn’t spend as much time with her children as she wished, with the help of her supportive husband and others, she raised two incredible young women who are smart, independent, successful, and they are beautiful. She reminded herself, “I didn't fail. I wasn't a terrible mother!”
• Setting Boundaries and Compartmentalizing our lives are essential strategies. Mandarin Oriental global chief information officer, Monika Nerger, suggests that we need to keep some things sacred. They are guardrails or non-negotiables, e.g., her date night with her husband. Past CEO of IHG Keith Barr suggests compartmentalizing your day. He would ask himself who he wants to be on his way home. When he walks into his home, he wants to be the best father, the best husband, the best friend! At that point, he doesn’t think about work.
• Presence, rather than Balance Lisa Checchio, former chief marketing officer at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, emphasized that life is dynamic, and flexibility is essential. She said, “When I try to balance a day, I'm always out of whack. It’s impossible! I've been practicing this concept of being present where I am. When I'm at an event or I'm presenting, I am there. If I'm at work, I am here 100%. I think about where my time will be spent, I ensure that is how I want to give my time in that way. And if I've chosen to give my time in that way, then I'm going to give a hundred percent of myself and that presence in that time. I find that it helps me not to think about all the places I'm not. It helps me to not think about tomorrow or next week. It helps me to stay in the moment and to give myself in the moment.”
• Personal Well-being is at the heart of work-life harmony. Group Chief Strategy Officer of Accor Gilda Perez-Alvarado said, “Just as in an airplane when they tell you to put your mask on first before assisting others, that is such good advice! If I want to be the best mom to my daughter, I have to take care of myself. I have to make sure that I'm mentally, emotionally, and physically well; and that she sees that I love what I do, both professionally and personally.” Having a dependable support network is essential to self-care. Gilda added, “It's so important to have a great support system. I am very blessed. I have an amazing husband - equal partners at home. We approach everything as a team. We're very different people, but we have very similar passions and the same values. You need a team. And, you also need a very safe spot, that unconditional love, where it's almost like your bat cave. You can go in and remove your Batman costume. You can break down; you can have a good conversation. You can just relax and ruminate and think about what just happened and go at it again.” Gilda advocates, “Prioritize self-care activities that recharge your physical, mental, and emotional batteries. Whether it's regular exercise, meditation, or spending quality time with loved ones, taking care of yourself is essential for sustained productivity and happiness.” When we feel supported in our personal lives, we are more likely to bring our best selves to the workplace, resulting in increased productivity and creativity.
• Work-Life Harmony Transcends the conventional dichotomy of work versus life. Anna Blue, past president of the AHLA Foundation, challenges this distinction, emphasizing that all aspects of life involve work and merit equal attention and appreciation. She offered, “I don't like that we have designated the thing that pays us as “work” when there are so many things we work at. If you have a hobby, you are working at that. I work at being a mom. I work at being a good friend, at being a good activist and advocate, and I work at my full-time job that pays me. And so, I think we went wrong when we made this designation of work versus life. I work in all capacities, and I love all capacities… So, I try really hard to stay away from that sort of work-life designation because this is my life.”

Embracing work-life harmony empowers individuals to lead fulfilling lives characterized by holistic well-being. By cultivating flexibility, setting boundaries, emphasizing presence, and prioritizing self-care, individuals can achieve harmony in both their professional and personal spheres, ultimately fostering a positive impact on their relationships, sense of purpose, and overall quality of life.

What's your experience with work-life harmony, and what advice do you have for those grappling with it? You are not alone on this journey. By sharing experiences and advice, we can collectively improve and thrive in our professional endeavors.