Work-life balance is touted in job postings everywhere - but what does it really mean? If you’re a passionate developer that’s excited about the technology you work with every day, you probably spend a fair bit of time outside of the office doing something that looks a lot like what you do at work. Even if you’re excited about your work, it’s important to find ways to rest, recharge and disconnect periodically. After spending 7 years building a team of passionate developers, I’ve learned that everyone approaches work-life balance differently, with vastly different results.
7. Founder & CEO
Founded Creatuity in 2008
PHP Development Firm
Focus on the Magento platform
I was inspired, in large part, by never wanting to
work in a traditional office thanks to the movie
‘Office Space’.
15. Work/Life Balance
Used to be simple
Work 8 hours making widgets, then go home
The widgets didn’t follow you home
16.
17. Work/Life Balance Today
Work 8+ hours
Spend an hour driving home
Check your work email on your smartphone
Finish up “one last bit” of work after dinner
20. Work/Life Integration
“If people enjoy what they do, there’s no need
to draw strict lines.” —Fortune Magazine
Not a bad concept, but…
21. Work/Life Integration
Work/Life Integration, especially when abused by
employers, destroys personal boundaries
Healthy personal boundaries are critical to self-worth,
happiness & fulfillment
22. The best attempts at work/life integration use
technology to allow employees to alter their work to
better accommodate their personal life.
23. The worst attempts at work/life integration use
technology and peer pressure to take advantage of
passionate, driven employees.
24. Cui Bono
Evaluate a company’s work/life initiatives by asking a
simple question - cui bono - “to whose benefit?”
25. Or: It’s about to get real…
The Personal Case For
Work/Life Balance
91. For example - I enjoy speaking with developers and
trying new beers.
I use every trip I take - for work or pleasure - to connect
with local user groups and get their recommendation
for a good local beer.
92. Work/life balance is hard. Especially for those of us
passionate about our work.
93. It’s an important topic, and important to get it right -
those 2,000 Saturdays will pass by in a blink.
94. Set aside time for yourself, for your family and for
downtime.
95. Stop and think about how you’re spending your time,
and what boundaries you have in place.