Amy I. Cass from California State University, Fullerton, emphasizes adopting a mindset of harmony rather than balance to tackle the challenges of work and life. Work and family are significant roles for adults, with work-family issues being studied for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention on these topics due to the merging of work and personal life boundaries (Allen & French, 2023). Recent studies advocate for work-life harmony, suggesting that work and life complement each other rather than compete (Ong & Jeyaraj, 2014). Cass aims to provide strategies for academics to achieve work-life harmony and greater career satisfaction.
Research on work-life balance often views work and life as conflicting areas (Ong & Jeyaraj, 2014). When life is perceived as a balancing act, work and home become opposing forces (Hill et al., 2007). Scholars suggest moving beyond balancing roles to finding harmony by merging family and work responsibilities. This approach minimizes conflict and aligns with personal values (McMillan et al., 2011). Work-life harmony focuses on understanding personal motivations and relationships rather than managing tasks and time, helping academics align their passions with work. Virtual work and constant connectivity render balance outdated, while striving for harmony is more feasible. Studies indicate harmony-based interventions positively affect creativity and reduce cognitive dissonance (Ong & Jeyaraj, 2014).
To achieve harmony between work and life, active and adaptable strategies are essential. Table 1 outlines action-oriented strategies for enhancing harmony and satisfaction. Educators often rely on declarative learning, but procedural learning is crucial for training the brain through practice. These strategies are suggestions, and if none suit your needs, they may inspire you to develop your own methods for achieving work-life harmony.
Work should not compete with life but rather ensure well-being. Academics have the advantage of choosing their career paths, and it’s important to remember the initial inspirations for entering the profession. The daily grind and sacrifices can obscure these positives. Although faculty cannot control external factors, they can manage their efforts, focus, and attitudes. Work-life harmony bridges the gap between the idealized academic life and the realistic demands of modern living.
Original Source: scholarlyteacher.com
