Goodbye, Work-Life Balance. Hello Harmony.
Everyone’s always looking for balance. Even I’m not immune to the promise of a 50/50, easy-breezy, zero conflict set-up.
But that’s just not real life. The truth is that life’s puzzle pieces are always moving and we’re all just doing our best to keep up. Then they dance out of place again and we… Well, you get the picture.
So it’s no surprise that we’re moving beyond the age of work-life balance and catching a slightly different drift. The sooner we learn that there’s no such thing as balance, the less frustrating and more rewarding life is going to be. So, what should we look for instead?
Have you ever heard of work-life harmony?
What is work-life harmony?
To learn about work-life harmony, let’s first take a look at a concept you might be familiar with.
You've heard of work-life balance. But as work and technology continue to evolve in the digital age, the lines between work and life have never been thinner.
This couldn’t be any more true in the remote work industry. Did you know that 56% of global companies are currently allowing remote work (16% of that are fully remote, by the way)? And that 70% of the workforce is forecasted to work remotely by 2025?
52% of Filipinos have already embraced remote work even before the pandemic. With the changes that came with COVID-19, that number spiked to 85%.
When work and play exist in the same space and devices — how do you define 50/50?
Think of it this way: instead of walking on a tightrope where work and life lie on either side and doing a balancing act, work-life harmony is more of a dance.
Instead of a balancing act where one wrong step can cause the whole circus to fall apart — you get to choose the music, pick how fast or slow you go, and which moves to dance to. When you have the autonomy to interact and influence both areas, you feel more effective. And when you feel more effective, you feel in control and satisfied.
What are the benefits of practicing work-life harmony in your company?
Work-life harmony begins by aligning the activities, values, and goals of both work and personal life to create a harmonious and fulfilling existence.
It works well as an individual practice. What happens to companies that do it together?
Better performance and productivity – When employees are given the space and opportunity to manage their personal lives, you create a workforce that is dedicated and committed to their responsibilities.
Empowers team autonomy – When teams have control over their time and can make choices that align with their personal needs, they gain confidence to perform and move beyond their comfort zone.
Increased employee satisfaction and retention – When teams feel valued, they invest their time and loyalty back to you. This creates a nurturing work environment that attracts and retains top talent.
Enhanced trust and ownership – By encouraging autonomy, teams develop trust and can rise to the occasion. This encourages them to go the extra mile and proactively seek solutions that drive goals forward.
Improved well-being – With the necessary support, flexibility, and resources, teams integrate their work and personal lives seamlessly. This helps them show up as whole individuals who find meaning in their days.
In other words, a workplace that values work-life harmony can benefit both teams and the organization as a whole. By offering opportunities for team members to learn, advance in their careers, and be present in their personal lives, you create a more engaged, motivated, and fulfilled workforce.
How does Shepherd practice work-life harmony?
Before I co-founded Shepherd, I was doing operations and customer support for BPO companies.
I know what it’s like to feel guilty at work because I’m missing out on precious moments with loved ones. And I’m no stranger to the dread that fills me on rest days when I ruminate on all the work I have to do instead of basking in the moment.
So besides helping almost 2,000 Filipinos find amazing remote jobs with reputable US teams — my co-founder Marshall and I made sure folks at Shepherd lived their fullest lives not just after work, but during work too. Here’s how:
Offering opportunities for career advancement – At Shepherd, we understand how professional growth contributes to work-life harmony. As a growing company, we’ve got ample opportunities for team members to take on leadership roles and high-level management positions. So we conduct leadership workshops, communication and public speaking training, and knowledge checks to help team members learn, acquire new skills, and progress in their careers.
Keeping teams engaged at work – Connection is vital in remote work. To reinforce that engagement among team members, we organize various engagement activities to maintain a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. These activities can include virtual team-building exercises, online games, virtual coffee breaks, and knowledge-sharing sessions to remind teams that they have a supportive community in their corner.
Creating in-person activities – Despite being a fully remote company, Shepherd recognizes the significance of meeting in person. So we make time to organize face-to-face activities such as team-building events, town hall meetings, and even annual Christmas parties to connect with teams, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of belonging.
Supporting autonomy and boundaries – At Shepherd, we place a strong emphasis on supporting the personal lives of our teams. By focusing on output-based and asynchronous work, and allowing teams to have control over their time, we foster a culture of trust that integrates all aspects of our lives. This is how we’ve remained fully remote and how our teams continue to have more time for families and personal pursuits.
I believe that company culture should be built on a foundation of trust, respect, and inclusivity. By creating a positive company culture where team members feel valued and respected, we drive higher levels of employee engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction.
This is how we built Shepherd from being a two-man show to the fully-remote, seven-figure company that it is today.
How do I practice work-life harmony?
If you can’t tell, I’m pretty proud of the work we do at Shepherd. But beyond that, I’m just a human being who wants to find meaning in all aspects of my life. Not just work.
If you need ideas, here’s what work-life harmony means for me:
Solid work and time management habits – I like to prioritize tasks, set clear goals, and manage my time efficiently. By maintaining a structured approach and space to work, I get to fulfill my professional responsibilities while enjoying personal pursuits and relationships.
Travelling – As a traveler, I love how remote work lets me explore new places and immerse myself in different cultures. By taking time to travel, I get to enrich my personal growth and broaden my perspectives.
Spending time with family and friends – Social connections mean a lot to me. By cherishing quality time with loved ones, like sharing a meal, having adventures, celebrating wins, or simply having meaningful conversations, I maintain a well-rounded, fulfilling life.
Making time for spirituality – When in doubt, I turn my worry into worship. Participating in my church community and serving in various ministries fulfills me. Whether it’s doing a podcast with my good friend Bo Sanchez, or speaking at The Feast, or simply finding quiet time — I find guidance and a sense of purpose.
To me, the best part of work-life harmony is that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. This is how I’m able to show up as my best self in all areas of my life.
Conclusion
This is the closest I can get to a success formula, really.
I’m not here to promise you a 100% conflict-free life. Some nights, you’ll have to take some urgent calls. On other days, you won’t even get to look at your phone. I’m not here to sell you the idea that all your problems are going to disappear when you clock in or out of work.
But I do have the radical hope that we’re more than the boxes we find ourselves in.
That we all have the freedom to show up for the people who mean the most to us. That we deserve to be surrounded by a community that helps us grow. And that finding meaningful work (hopefully at Shepherd) — is possible.
So what’s it going to be? Are you going to hang on the tightrope? Or are you ready to dance?
