OPINION:
Work:Life Balance
The problem with talk of work/life balance is that it suggests that work and living are separate things, when in fact the balancing act is something much more integrated.
My name is Ray O’Neill, and I am a recovering workaholic. Of all addictions, perhaps this is more socially tolerated, for bringing remuneration and stronger professional recognition not only to myself, but to those I worked for and with. But, as in all addictions, the price to be paid somewhere was undoubtedly within my personal and social life. As with all addicts, I was more than willing to pay this price, because my addiction served me well as the perfect hiding place for so many questions, doubts and fears. My work life, no matter how stressful or consuming, was always easier to ‘manage’ and ‘control’ than a personal life involving people who could not so simply be scheduled, organised, or switched off.