Some musings on the concept of work life balance:

• Why is the word “work” before “life?” (The one exception I was able to find was on the Navy Personnel Command web site, which refers to “life work balance.” Is the Navy the only enterprise that may have a healthier sense of priorities?)
• There is a related concept of “work life integration” which sounds a bit more promising than “balance”  – until reading one interpretation of “work life integration” as the resignation that we need to be ready to work at all times, so we may as well enjoy it and make our co workers our friends.

Are our concerns regarding work life balance missing a bigger perspective? Rather than worrying about the balance between work and life, perhaps the real concern needs to be designing a life that moderates between the different relationships you want in your life.

If the majority of relationships you enjoy happen to be with people at work, then more time at work makes sense. If you have a family at home, then making those relationships a priority, and spending desired time with family makes sense.

Perhaps it is time to forget work life balance and focus on investing the right amount of time in the relationships we value; at home, at church, with friends, and at work.