· · page 1

The ‘Great Big’ Work/Life Balancing ActThe ‘Great Big’ Work/Life Balancing Act

Anuja Kale Agarwal

VP & Global Head of Communication, DBOI Global Services

Deutsche Bank Group

March 13th 2009

What is work-life balance?

• Lets look at some “typical scenarios”

Work. Travel. Home. Kids. Homework. Urgent project for kid/s. Husband / Boyfriend / Partner / significant other. Friends. Parents. In-laws. Cousins. Shopping. Dusting. Cooking. Parties. Electrician. Plumber. Broadband. PTA meetings. Movies. Outings. Weddings. Holidays. Groceries…

• Knock.knock. Is there anytime for “Me-time”?

• Indulge. You deserve it! When was the last time you went for a leisurely trip to the Parlour? Spa? Gym? Coffee with my friends? Time off to read?

• Do more. Growth? Learning? Additional courses? Spiritual development?

• YES! Sometimes a complex juggling act might look easy compared to the tight-rope balancing act we manage!

The ability to positively balance your life at work and at home in such a way that you do justice to both.

Some of us are victims of “Superwoman-itis”?

• Always expecting to get it right - With all the balls that we high-performance women juggle for as long as we have been juggling them, is it realistic to expect ourselves to "get it right?"

• Realistic? Reasonable? Why is that script even in our heads? Is that a reasonable goal?

• The big “guilt”trip !! Why is it that accomplishing anything less than "getting it right," or anything “less than perfection” is seen as a personal failure?

• When is enough-enough? Can we ever spend the right quality / quantity of time with the kids or the family or at work OR on that presentation that you have to make the next day?

• Expectation setting - I don't think "getting it right" should be where we set the bar. Sometimes “good enough is just right”!

Positive Work-Life Balance = Achievement + EnjoymentPositive Work-Life Balance = Achievement + Enjoyment

Solutions that work!

• Prioritise – create to-do lists both at work and at home

• Get rid of the guilt – its okay if everything is not “perfect”…

• Get help – outsource wherever possible, delegate, share

• Build and invest in all your relationships :: Appreciate those who help you whether its your husband / partner / in-laws / your parents / your home-help / your kids / family members

• Network – its not a bad word! Make yourself a killer work profile, learn to make an elevator pitch, use networking sites [personal and professional], get an additional qualification, be seen and get heard, get noticed in meetings [ for the right reasons! ], make presentations

• Be Happy! Work on your “personal happiness quotient” – if you’re happy you’ll make others happy! Give, volunteer, take classes, get involved with NGOs, teach some of the kids in your neighbourhood - if you have the time and the inclination…

• Work on becoming assertive – learn to say NO

• Speak up - Ask for help, friends and family can chip in…

• Go to a counsellor if necessary – it works!

It’s difficult but not impossible. Do only as much as you can!