If your business is running your ragged, then it means you're using old strategies in the new economy. Is it time for an update?
In the 20th Century, much of the prevailing "wisdom" of the day was along this line of thinking: "Keep your personal life separated from your business life." This compartmentalized approach to life provided clear lines between work and family. By and large, it worked to preserve a certain measure of sanity for much of the industrialized population that was engaged in routine work.
The downside of separation, however, is the dehumanizing of workers and poor business ethics. When people are human resources then they are assets - commodities bought and sold by management. When we act one way on Sunday and another way on Monday, our decisions are easier but not necessarily morally sound.
The 21st Century, however, is in full swing into the Knowledge Age and knowledge worker. Separation of one's work and life isn't so easy because we carry our work in our heads. It was easy to walk away from a milling machine, but keyboards surround us at work, home, and in our smart phones. The lines between home and work are blurred beyond recognition.
The situation is so severe that many service companies offer "Work Life Balance" programs to address the growing problem of employee workaholism, health, and burnout. Time management is a joke anymore in this 24/7 society.
Now as we stand on the edge of the Age of Purpose and Meaning where separation is a liability, just what are we supposed to do? Do we separate? Do we balance?
The On-Purpose® Approach provides answers for the new Age. This strategy is to integrate with appropriate boundaries. The more we are pushed upon, the more we need to know who we are and our purpose in life so we can push back. A solid core to our life enables us to establish appropriate boundaries so "Our yes can be yes, and our no can be no." The risks of not knowing who we are is unhealthy to our body, mind, and spirit.
Coming January 5, 2011: The On-Purpose Leader Experience.
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