The statement by Narayan Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, at the recently-held CNBC Global Leadership Summit that he does not believe in work-life balance had set off a series of debates on the topic of work-life balance. As ever, there exist two schools of thought on the matter. One against and the other for. The former considers the work-life balance to be a myth, a ploy to escape work whereas the latter believes in its utility and contribution towards increased productivity. Online education is a medium where one can gain knowledge as well as maintain a healthy work-life-study balance. ICFAI On https://icfaibytes.in/beyond-curriculum-key-factors-for-effective-online-programs-in-india/ line emphasises this for pursuing programs like Online MBA, Online BBA, distance MBA and distance BBA.
The “Myth Story”
Those who consider the work-life balance a myth say the path to progress cannot be achieved by intelligence alone. There needs to be relentless hard work backed by unwavering commitments. This requires working more hours.
“Work-life balance is a term that should be done away with”, observes an expert. “If we enjoy our work, why should we not work long hours? After all, today, it is possible for most of us to work from home. And if we are not enjoying the work, why not find something we really like to do?” asks he.
According to an online source, Europe is growing at 0-2%, the US at 2-3% and Asia at 3-4%. India is growing at 7%. The critiques of work-study balance tend to ascribe this to our passion for stretching the working hours.
All Work Makes It Dull
Those who side with work-life balance too list out quite a few reasons to support their view point. They point out that in India, where over work is rather a norm, candidates are increasingly being conditioned to believe that spending long working hours alone ensures their success.
A proper life balance also:
- Increases productivity
- Supports reskilling through online study (e.g. MBA study online, distance MBA Program)
- Prevents Decision Fatigue
- Strengthens Emotional Intelligence
- Facilitates Deep Work
- Improves Mental Agility
The Crucial Boundaries
Whether the work-life balance is a myth or a reality has been a topic of debate for decades and it will continue. But setting the work life boundaries would certainly help one to perform the tasks meticulously. This is increasingly relevant in the present context where the dependence on devices causes work bleeding into our life and vice versa.
Worrying about work even when one is away from work is a major typical example of work related stress. By setting the boundaries, e.g. decision not to check emails after dinner etc., this can be overcome to a great extent.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, what is needed for a balanced professional-personal life is establishing a daily schedule and prioritizing the task. A daily schedule helps you to complete professional assignments on time and find quality time for personal life. Periodic review to add or delete the tasks and to reset the priorities needs to be undertaken.
Discussion Question
What is your take? Is work-life balance real or a myth? Why?
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How does an Online MBA contribute to work-life balance?
An Online MBA allows candidates to:
- Study at their own pace.
- Customize their learning schedule around work and personal commitments.
- Engage in reskilling without the need to compromise professional responsibilities.
2. Is work-life balance achievable with an Online MBA?
Yes, an Online MBA provides flexibility, allowing students to manage work, life, and study simultaneously. By enabling self-paced learning, it supports individuals in maintaining a balance while pursuing career goals.
3. How does work-life balance enhance productivity?
Engaging in personal activities beyond work helps refresh the mind, enabling employees to approach problems creatively. It also prevents burnout, reduces decision fatigue, and boosts emotional intelligence and mental agility.
Leave a Reply