Is My Life and Work in Balance?

Is My Work and Life in Balance?

Sometimes, balancing our commitments between work and home can be a challenge. The problem is, sometimes we don’t see it.

This short self-assessment will tell you whether you’re balancing things well or starting to teeter.

1 / 10

I am paid 40 hours a week...

and I stick to those hours faithfully.

and very rarely (3-4 times a year) do I work an extra 1-5 hours a week.

but fairly often (2 or more weeks a month) find myself working an extra 1-5 hours a week.

and work extra hours almost every week.

2 / 10

The last thing I think about before going to sleep and the first thought in the morning is about work  

Rarely or never.

Occasionally (a couple of times a week).  

Often (most days of the week).  

Always.

3 / 10

I find myself talking about work with my friends or significant other  

Rarely or never

Occasionally (a couple of times a week)

Often (most days of the week)  

It seems that’s all I ever talk about  

4 / 10

My career and my title pretty much define me  

Not true at all

I admit it has its place but it isn’t everything  

Probably 75 per cent of my identity comes from my work  

Yes, that sums it up well

5 / 10

I have a work-issued mobile phone…  

I don’t have a work-issued phone  

…and I never check it, or do rarely (once an evening and once or twice on the weekend) after hours and on weekends  

…and check it fairly regularly (once an hour during evenings and multiple times on the weekend)  

…and is my constant companion. I check it all the time and respond to messages.  

6 / 10

I sleep…  

a solid 7.5 hours or more every night with no difficulty  

most nights very well (at least 4/7) but occasionally have trouble getting to sleep or wake up  

less than seven hours a night

less than seven hours a night and have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep most nights (4/7 nights)  

7 / 10

Energy-wise at work,  

I feel rested and energetic most of the time

Occasionally (1-3 days a week) I feel a little draggy

Often (3 or more days a week) I have periods where I’m drowsy or tired  

I am exhausted a lot of the time (4-5 days a week)  

8 / 10

Vacation time is…  

Sacred to me. I am dead to the office and they are dead to me  

much needed and welcomed and I only check-in or check email the night before my first day back.  

a time for rest but I stay connected by regularly checking emails, just so I don’ lose touch  

something I have to take but I prefer not to be away for long.

9 / 10

Family time is…

Sacred. We set aside a bit of time on evenings and weekends to be fully present with each other with no distractions from work.  

Quite important. At least a couple of times a week we set aside time with no or few distractions  

worth setting some time aside for. It’s a good idea but I haven’t fully implemented it.  

Just not realistic right now. I will be all over it as soon as I (Insert excuse here).  

10 / 10

The last time I went on a date or hung out with a non-work friend was…  

Within the last week.  

Within the last month

It’s been a couple of months.  

Too long. I don’t remember.

Your score is