by Faun Zarge, Professional Speaker and Work-Life Trainer

In my career as a Work-Life Consultant, there’s one message I’ve received loud and clear: people don’t respond well to the phrase “work-life balance.”  To many people, the word “balance” suggests there should be equal time for the various facets of one’s life (work, friends and family, personal activities), but we all know that having that kind of work-life equality is rare, and if we do experience it, it only lasts for about 30 seconds.

This is why a few years ago I stopped saying “work-life balance” and instead, started talking about “work-life resilience.”

Resilience gives us the ability to adapt and be flexible in the face of change.  And isn’t constant change the reality of our lives?  Who hasn’t had a week when they didn’t have a flat tire, an unexpected work deadline, a family crisis, or all three?  We are regularly confronted with situations which require us to adjust our schedules and our expectations, so doesn’t it make more sense to direct our energy towards building the skills needed to be resilient, rather than reaching for the always elusive balance?

People who are resilient know how to:

• Make themselves a priority so they have the energy needed to meet daily challenges
• Build support networks, both at work and home, in order to have the help they need when unexpected situations arise
• Prioritize their responsibilities so they’re not feeling continuously overwhelmed
• Set realistic expectations of themselves and others, to help minimize feelings of guilt and frustration

It is not only possible to become more resilient, it’s critical.  It’s a core competency needed to excel in our ever-changing work environment, and in my opinion, it’s the skill most essential to be successful in our day-to-day lives.

Hear Faun Zarge speak at the Jewish Women's Career Networking (JWCN) annual networking event, Redefining Superwoman: Work-Life Resilience and Managing Multiple Demands, on November 1, 2011. For more information and to register click here.