Work-Life Balance: Time for a New Perspective?

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Do you think it’s time for a new perspective on the idea of work-life balance? In this article, we’ll look at the popular Four Burners Theory of Work-Life Balance and explore some arguments for and against the concept of seeking a work-life balance.

You never know, it might even change how you view this common and much-lauded idea.

Let’s get into it.

The Four Burners Theory of Work-Life Balance

Imagine a hob with four rings or burners on it. Each cooking ring represents a major part of your life.

One ring represents family, the second work, the third friends, and the final ring represents your health.

This is the Four Burners Theory of work-life balance. It states that you must cut off one of your rings if you wish to be successful. We are forced to sacrifice something to achieve our full potential in a specific area of life. Do you have to ask yourself if you want to live a balanced life or if you want to excel in one area?

Let’s explore the theory further. What is the best way to view it? There are three popular ways to think of this theory.

The Three Views of the Burner Theory

Let’s go through, various ways you can think about this theory of work-life balance.

Outsource Burners

Can you outsource tasks that fall in one area of your life to free up time in another?

We see this happening in the world of work all the time. For most of us, work is where we spend most of our time. Business owners can outsource work by hiring employees and freelancers. In theory, this gives us more time to devote to other areas of life.

People outsource some duties of parenting out of necessity, too, by paying for childcare when they go to work.

Outsourcing has advantages of course. It means you can keep one burner going — in this case, family — while spending time on another. However, it can also have disadvantages. You might well get bored and feel you have little purpose in life or feel guilty for not spending more time with your kids.

Accept Constraints

The Four Burners Theory highlights your untapped potential. It might lead you to think that you are not reaching your full potential in one area of life. For instance, you may believe that if you had more time, you could make more money. If this does cross your mind, you should then ask yourself how you can be more effective within the bounds of the constraints your life imposes on you.

Let’s use work as an example. You might wonder how, assuming you can only work a 9-5, you can maximise the amount of money you make.

By focusing on finding constructive solutions, you turn your thoughts in a more positive direction. Working within well-defined and sensible limits can even improve your work performance and productivity. It can also help you beat procrastination and make real progress toward your goals.

There are some disadvantages inherent in this approach, though. If you accept the constraints you are under, you accept that you may not be fulfilling your potential. Where and how you spend your time is vital. It is difficult to escape the fact that if you spend more time on a given area of your life while sacrificing something else, you will likely see improved results in the area (or burner) you focussed on.

The Seasons Approach

There is a way third approach to the concept of a work-life balance. Instead of seeking a work-life balance, divide your life into seasons during which you will concentrate on a different area of your life.

Throughout life, it is possible that the importance of your burners will change. At a point in your life, for example, your family might become more important to you than your work. When you enter your latter years, old friendships might be revitalised, while your health might dip.

Life seldom allows us to keep all four burners roaring at full blast simultaneously. Maybe the solution to this problem is to sacrifice something for a season so that you focus on one burner, then pick it up again later.

When you devote yourself to a specific area, you can often achieve more if you give it 100 percent for a short time, than you would if you gave only minimal effort to a project for a longer period. Perhaps it is better to strive for imbalance and change what you’re focusing on, as necessary.

Ultimately, the four burners theory exposes an unpalatable truth. Every choice we make has a cost and we all have limited time and energy.

Still unsure about the four burners theory and want to learn more about work-life balance? Let’s look at the pros and cons of striving for a work-life balance, so you can decide if pursuing it is a worthwhile goal.

Arguments for Seeking a Work-Life Balance

A key argument in favour of work-life balance is that if you don’t try to balance your life and work, you’ll miss out on what life has to offer.

Let’s look at four arguments in favour of work-life balance and see if there is any truth to this statement.

Money can’t buy happiness

We’ve all heard this one before, and many of us find it unconvincing. Nevertheless, there is some truth to that statement. Working like mad to earn more money at the expense of everything else in your life does seem a bit daft, right?

You have more time to be creative

If you maintain a healthy work-life balance, you will have more time and energy to be creative meaning your life and work can benefit from a healthy work-life balance because you can find more creative solutions to problems in your life and career.

It’s good for your health

Keeping a reasonable balance between different aspects of your life can be essential if you want to maintain good health. Burnout is real and can destroy your health as well as your productivity. Check out our post on how fatigue affects productivity for more.

You’ll have more time to devote to your social life

We are social animals, and we need social interactions, with others to be happy and content. A balanced approach to life will free up more time for us to spend with friends and loved ones.

It’s time to explore the downsides of pursuing a good work-life balance.

Arguments Against Seeking a Work-Life Balance

Many people are convinced of the virtues of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Equally, there are plenty who remain unmoved by the arguments set forth.

Here are the main reasons why.

Achieving the perfect work-life balance would make us unhappy

Humans are not made to remain content for long periods, we get restless and want to explore, so even if we did reach a state of perfect balance. We are happiest when we are trying to improve ourselves in some way.

There is no such thing as balance

This is the argument that humans are never in balance anyway, so striving to achieve such a thing is pointless and stupid. There are better ways to spend your energy.

The search for balance can be frustrating

If something is truly in balance, it is neither safe nor stable. It is better to build a strong stable foundation you can then launch yourself from and hopefully achieve fantastic things. Is it time to abandon this myth and move on?

Meghan M. Biro certainly thinks so.

Work-life balance is flawed as a concept

Meghan M Biro argues that we are already well past the idea of work-life balance. Modern workplaces are often transformed into productive places that help define how we live, work, and make progress. This makes the whole idea of seeking a work-life balance outdated and irrelevant.

Instead, let’s strive to be successful leaders and find a new way to work.

Wrapping Up

Everyone has their own view of work-life balance. Those focused on their career are more likely to consider it an outdated concept. Work and life are fast becoming intertwined with each other now that technology enables us to work from anywhere.

On the other hand, others value the quality of time they spend with loved ones and pursuing hobbies they enjoy over working all hours striving to achieve a career goal.

Most of us are forced to choose between a high-paying job and a more easy-going job that affords us more free time.

Now you know more about the arguments and theories surrounding work-life balance, have you got a different view of it? Let us know more about your perspective on work-life balance in the comments below.

Read our piece on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance if you enjoyed reading this.