Would you have a bath at 7 am? (Turns out, it might be the secret to work-life balance.)
If you have been measuring the illusive work-life balance in time, you’re wrong.
It’s about energy.
Let me explain.
The idea of perfectly balancing work and life is a bit of a unicorn.
I’m constantly bombarded with images and posts from founders and coaches ‘living the dream’ but the truth is, life is messy, unpredictable, and rarely fits neatly into equal slices of a pie chart.
For years, I was intrigued by this concept of “balance.” It always struck me as something people were constantly chasing, something they felt they lacked.
Even during my intense event management days, with 2am rehearsals and red eye flights, I often felt a sense of balance but doubted myself as others told me I needed to work less hours.
Then, I had a bit of an epiphany: what if it’s not about time at all? What if it’s about energy?
How was it that I could feel this balance when working a 16 hour day and also feel it when I only spent 1 hour working in a day?
That’s where the BE:DO approach comes in. It’s not just the approach that I use, it’s what my clients embrace too. It’s fundamentally shifted my perspective. Instead of fixating on how many hours I’m spending on work versus personal pursuits, I focus on understanding and managing my energy levels.
Here’s how it works:
- BE: This isn’t about passive stillness. It’s about actively engaging in tasks that cultivate a calming energy. Think of activities that promote the release of serotonin and other neurochemicals associated with relaxation and wellbeing.
For me, “BE” includes a dog-walk down the beach (even in the Margate winds!), going for a run, or a yoga session. It’s about activities that ground me, reduce stress, and leave me feeling centred. - DO: This is where the adrenaline kicks in! “DO” encompasses the tasks and responsibilities that demand our focus and often trigger a sense of urgency. It’s the work projects with deadlines, the problem-solving challenges, the social interactions that require us to be “on.” While “DO” can be exhilarating and rewarding, it can also deplete our energy reserves.
(As an introvert like me, I have to be conscious of this)
The key is to recognise this interplay. Our “DO” activities draw heavily on our energy, and we need to proactively replenish it through “BE” activities. It’s not about simply resting; it’s about actively engaging in practices that restore and revitalise us on a neurological level.
So, instead of striving for a rigid time allocation, I’ve learned to listen to myself and notice when I’m feeling frantic and need to up my “BE.” I schedule activities that nourish me, that recharge my batteries. Then sometimes I need to feel that hit of adrenalin and that’s when I switch to my “DO” tasks. This might mean saying “no” to certain commitments, delegating tasks where possible, or simply taking a break when I need it.
The beauty of this approach is its fluidity. It’s a constant dance, a dynamic interplay between action and replenishment.
This isn’t a magic formula, and it doesn’t eliminate stress entirely. But it does provide a framework for navigating the complexities of modern life with more awareness, intention, and self-compassion.
So when I take a bath at 7am or re-decorate a room at 11pm, let me reassure you that there is method in my madness!
How do you manage your energy levels? What does “BE” and “DO” look like for you?
