Embracing Work-Life Integration: Figuring out the boundaries between career and personal life
COVID-19 has changed the way people live. When the pandemic disrupted the whole world, achieving stability between work and personal life has become doubly challenging. With the lines blurred between the two, it’s no surprise that people have been continuously finding the right balance to achieve a semblance of stability in their lives.
Digital connectivity allowed businesses to adapt and respond to the mounting problems caused by this pandemic. UnionBank continues to thrive because of the successful digital transformation enabling its employees to adapt to remote working quite instantaneously.
The surprise shift to remote working during this unprecedented period disrupted the routine that worked for everyone. Although it’s challenging for other people, some see this shift as an opportunity for growth and a new way to integrate work with life and vice versa.
Take a cue from our Learning & Development Manager, Carlo Cordero. Before the pandemic hit the country and shifting to work from home, Carlo thought that the balance between work and personal life is achieved by merely enjoying what one does. And he was successful in this kind of work-life integration for the most part.
But several months into working from home, he’d come to realize that a clearly defined sense of work-life balance and productivity, in the long run, is necessary if he hopes to stay sane.
"This is only possible if we are clear about our intentions, expectations, and personal boundaries when it comes to our work."
He believes that work-life balance is knowing that humans’ self-worth and value should not be measured merely by productivity, performance, or what colleagues or superiors think or say to each other.
“While excellence at work is to aspired for, it is not the end-all and be-all of life,” he says. “Reminding myself of this fundamental truth has been challenging at times, but doing so has been the key to maintaining my sanity in these difficult times.”
Clear and stringent boundaries in terms of time management help Carlo maintain his work-life balance. He knows when to stop and say that his work is enough for the day but, more importantly, boundaries in terms of emotional and mental bandwidth.
There are also physical boundaries in terms of where he does his work. He never works in bed so he can rest both mind and body after finishing the day.
“I’ve always been an overthinker, and I tend to ascribe meaning to even the slightest behaviors or tiniest remarks from superiors and colleagues. Having emotional and mental boundaries means being able to detach yourself from these situations and asking yourself:
Is this worth the emotions and peace
of mind I am sacrificing?
And then consciously deciding either to act to address the situation or to let it go.”
In his extra time, Carlo takes care of his plant babies while trying to stay safe at home. “I’ve become such a chiché plantito,” he says. “I’m super obsessed with plants [that] it’s not even funny anymore.”
“I also discovered that I inherited my mother’s talent for cooking, so that’s something that’s therapeutic too, if a bit fattening.”
On the other hand, work-life balance for Anna Gallegos is about prioritizing essential aspects of both career and personal life.
"Although there is no perfect balance, I find personal fulfillment
and happiness by being able to accomplish daily tasks
for both work and personal life."
Throughout her 24 years of work with UnionBank, Anna’s definition of work-life balance has continuously changed. When she started with the Bank, she had to put in more time to help her go up the learning curve.
“Things eventually became easier as I learned more and could put more focus on other aspects of my work,” she added. “But I keep the weekends as generally sacred time as I put a focus on family and faith.”
Now it’s a challenge for Anna as a Unit Head of the UBP Investments Corporation to transition to remote work. Creating a work-life balance was more challenging since the physical separation between office and home disappeared, but it also has its upside.
"Being quarantined has given me the benefit of seeing
and being with my family 24/7. That is happiness in itself
for me."
On the other hand, some get the most out of everything by giving their best in work and personal life.
Noel Paras, a Performance and Quality Management Officer of the Bank, stays true to his purpose and principles, whether it’s work or personal matters.
"At work, I focus on how my tasks will help another person or another unit on how to elevate their lives.
In my personal life, I just do what I love to do regardless if I'm good at it or not."
For Noel, work-life balance is also getting the most out of life by doing what he loves at work and life.
“I am now able to focus more on work at the same time,” he adds. “I have more time to do house chores and continue my passion projects at home.”
Friendly Tips on Achieving Work-Life Integration
A proper work-life balance can improve physical and mental well-being. This phrase is right for Anna as she outlined the different ways of having the right footing for work and personal life.
Creating a daily routine and setting goals can help with focus and keep it on track. Anna adds that eating healthy food and exercising ensure a healthy body and mind. It’s also crucial for her to take breaks as often as possible to give her time for herself, family, friends, and God.
“Setting a time to pray and putting priority in your faith and God relieve a lot of stress and tension this pandemic has brought on,” she mentions. “Being able to keep silent and commune with God has a great calming effect on me, and I think that everyone can benefit from [this].”
For Carlo, people need to start thinking that their time and, more importantly, their emotional and mental resources are valuable and limited. “Much like the way we think about money,” he mentions.
"We need to be mindful about how we invest our time
and emotions on activities and people that have high emotional
and mental ROI (Return on Investment)."
People should devote their time to these important things aside from work: Doing things that give joy – whatever that may be, connecting with the people you love – your friends and chosen family, and resting or going “offline”.
"These three things may not be considered 'productive' in the
traditional sense, but are regenerative – creating a sustainable
cycle of self-renewal so that you are ready to rise to the
daily challenges of work with an able body, a sound mind, and
a full heart."
Noel also has the same ideals and wants people to know that it’s essential to let go of the uncontrollable, be unburdened by the what-ifs, and focus on the task.