Johnathon Herrington - Work-Life Agility: A Guide to Sustainable High-Performance, Optimal Health and Vitality at Work and Life.

First published 2020 by Indie Experts

PO Box 1638, Carindale

Queensland 4152 Australia

indieexperts.com.au

Copyright Johnathon Herrington 2020 All rights reserved.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of study, research or review, as permitted under the copyright act, no part of this book may be reproduced by any process without written permission of the author.

Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright material; should any infringement have occurred accidentally, the author tends his apologies. Product and other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. The author disclaims any and all rights in those marks.

Book cover by Jesse Bogaert (www.bogaertdesign.com.au)

Edited by Libby Turner

Internal design by Indie Experts

Typeset in 12.5/18 pt Adobe Garamond Pro by Post Pre-press Group, Brisbane

ISBN 978-0-6488564-0-5 (paperback)

ISBN 978-0-6488564-1-2 (epub)

ISBN 978-0-6488564-2-9 (kindle)

Disclaimer:

The content of this book is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner. Please consult with your own physician or healthcare specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book. The use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

Contents

Introduction to Worklife Agility

If youre struggling to have enough time and energy for everything in your life, youre not alone. Out of the 35 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia ranks way down at number 27 for worklife balance. Within Australia, research has shown people in managerial and professional roles are the most likely to have poor worklife outcomes, compared to other occupations.

Worklife balance is unachievable

There was a time when leaving the office for the day meant leaving your work behind. Now, we carry almost our whole job in our back pockets. Were expected to stay available by phone, email and text in the evenings, on weekends and even on holidays. It means we have no true separation from work to recharge and relax.

Digital advances have also accelerated the pace of change at work. For example, we have faster and more reliable international communication, access to more data, and constant connection to our workplaces. The rate at which we adopt new technology and products is faster than it was just a decade ago. As everything else in the business world moves more quickly, we are expected to as well.

As a result, most of us have lives of overwhelming busyness. We find ourselves under the constant pressure of competing demands, always doing. We cut back on sleep to fit everything in and view time off as an unnecessary luxury. Work appointments take priority over personal appointments. Added to that are the increased demands in our personal lives. More and more of us are now balancing paid work and caring responsibilities, and the tension shows.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 35% of Australian men feel always or often rushed or pressed for time. Women are even busier, with 42% being always or often pressed for time. And when you ask those who provide care, an even larger proportion say theyre stretched 46% of men and 55% of women. Over time, a lack of balance means were unable to perform at our best. The damage extends to our health, our relationships and our quality of life.

As a performance coach, I see first-hand the costs of constantly pushing ourselves to achieve more without assessing how sustainable it is. Many of my clients are successful senior managers who have gradually noticed physical or psychological health problems as these health issues interfered with their performance at work and their personal lives. Its often almost too late before they realise that without their health, they would have nothing.

Why worklife agility beats worklife balance

I believe the reason so many of us struggle with worklife balance is the concept itself is flawed. Why choose between work and life? I dont want to treat work and life as opposing forces. Work should be a satisfying, enriching part of our life, not something we do while we put our real life on hold.

Lets also consider the concept of balance. If a seesaw is balanced, it means that the weights on each side are equal, and not changing. For worklife balance, it means that at any given moment, we are giving the same time and energy to both work and life, with equal demands on us from both sides of the see-saw. But, of course, this never happens! Life is dynamic. Perhaps tomorrow youll have a public relations crisis and that sucks up your attention. Or your child is having a small operation, so they need your focus. If you aim for the elusive balance, you will always feel guilty for dropping the ball in either your work or your home life. Or, most likely, both.

It is impossible to keep these constantly changing demands frozen in balance. What we can do is develop the vitality to quickly and easily move our energies where they are needed, and back again. Developing wellbeing in any area of our life supports our wellbeing, energy and performance in other areas of our life, whether its work, family, friends, study, hobbies, or community activities.

Is this book the right one for you?

WorkLife Agility is for executives and senior professionals who dont want to choose between their professional ambitions and quality of life.

Consider your lifestyle at present. Does this sound familiar? You long for more hours in the day but are starting to realise the costs of burning the candle at both ends. Your family grumbles about your poor worklife balance, and your doctor might too. At the same time, you love your work and want to continue performing at the highest levels, achieving even more than you already have. In addition, theres also constant background pressure to have a decent, secure income to pay the bills. Youve probably tried to improve your wellbeing in the past but found the new habits too time-consuming or too difficult. Perhaps they were a poor fit for your busy career.

Does this look like what youd like more of in your life?

• Youre seeking more energy to achieve goals in all areas of life
• You want to be able to consistently perform at your best while improving your health
• You crave better alignment between what you do each day and whats most important to you
• You know you need greater health, fitness and vitality

In this book, Ill give you a taste of the key actions and mindsets you need to set yourself up for sustainable excellence and health. Ill share the most important, practical and evidence-based habits you need to: