OLA-SC … day one

I am at the Ontario Library Association’s Superconference today, after a full day Partnership meeting yesterday.  Lots and lots of snow (snowfall warning!) here today, kinda feels like I am home … but warmer …

Millenials

I am finding the discussions about millenials in today’s work world very interesting.  Are they really that different from me?  Apparently I am part of  “Generation X”, those born between 1950s/60s and the early to mid 1980s, (depending on the defintion used), but I really don’t see that much difference between myself and those we classify as “Generation Y”, those born between1974 to 1982 (again, depending on the definition used) and 2000.

Yes, there are obvious differences … Generation Y are digital natives and haven’t had the same experiences of life as those of us who are Gen X or boomers.  But, in the work sphere, we really aren’t very different. We all want to be respected, would like flexible work options, and are more engaged when we are challenged.

For example, I have found that all demographic groups desire greater flexibility/options with their work hours.  From the young mother who wants to have more time with her children, to the the mid-career employee who wants more time to pursue their passions (shorter work days so they will have more time to ski or kayak and options for unpaid personal leave so they can enjoy more travel)  to the close to retirement employee who wants to travel more and continue to actively participate in the work world … the same flexibility is desired.  While I have given the above examples by the age of employees, the examples aren’t limited by age-groups.  We really aren’t that different.

This time my question for you is:   is dividing us up into age-based groups and then allowing each demographic group to define (or limit) these groups by life experiences and desires any different from the statement “when I was your age I had to walk 5 miles to school … uphill both ways”?  Things are always changing, we have all lived through change. The pace of change is always changing.  What do you think?

What does work-life balance mean to you?

I have been researching the concept of work-life balance, and am a bit surprised by what I am finding.  I have always thought of work-life balance as balancing work (job) with my life outside of work (the things I must do and the things I like to do outside of work: my passions, and family).  What I am finding in the literature is many discussions of work (job) and life (only family) … no mention of passions, or what people do to recharge their batteries.  Hmm.

Basically, it seems as if the concept of “work-life” balance is recognized as balancing the demands of work with the demands of family.  I guess this surprises me because, while it is very important to balance those two spheres, one could spend all their time working at their job and on family responsibilities yet have no true balance in their lives.

One way of looking at this discrepancy could be that work-life balance is being defined as time management and not true balance.  The majority of people are trying to manage the demands on their time.  Everyone has lots of demands on their time: partner/spouse, children, parents, extended families, friends, work (the need to make a living and the requirement to do one’s job effectively while doing more with less), and more.

For me, work-life balance means balancing my work life (which I both love and need) and my outside of work life (the things I must do and my passions)…. far more than only work and family.

So, my question is, what does work-life balance mean to you?

Just too cold out … for too long

What can I say, between the holidays and the cold weather (-40C right now), I just haven’t been motivated to write. My apologies. Happy New Year!