By Mary Beth West, APR

Having just returned to work in recent weeks from an all-too-abbreviated maternity leave (there ain’t no gettin’ around having your name on the door), it’s appropriate for me that this month’s theme for “In the Profession” is the subject of work/life balance.

In case you’re looking for some tips on the subject, here’s a timely piece from WSJ Online, “For More Workers, Home is Where the Office Is”. 

A lot of this article – for me – harkens back to 2002, on the eve of when I started Mary Beth West Consulting from my upstairs home office, which is the size of a nice walk-in closet.  That office is getting some more use these days, as for the third time I’m changing diapers anew, struggling with sleep deprivation and cashing in on one of those perks of owning your own shop – setting your own hours, however gosh-forsaken they might be.

I pride myself on having somewhat mastered the art, science and logistical calisthenics involved with managing a marriage, a home, a growing family with very young kids and an entrepreneurial business in which I believe passionately and love sharing with a team of top-notch colleagues. 

And probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned on my journey since 2002: when you can find that place where pursuing your dream isn’t tearing you apart, then you’ve achieved something significant . . . because the longer I look around, the more elusive I find that this place is for so many people, women and men alike.

A few of my own tips along these lines:

• Keep any overly idealized notions of “work/life balance” at arm’s length.  Each day in its pursuit will always be fraught with imperfections.  Just roll with it.  Do your best, and actively listen to your instincts of where your time holds greatest value to the quality of your life and those you love.
• Don’t forego the things in life apart from work that bring you great spiritual and emotional fulfillment.  They’re what make life worth living.
• Most importantly – understand that there may always be someone who judges you negatively for the choices you make “in the pursuit of . . .” – whatever that might be.  Be mindful that someone else’s hurtful judgment calls are often driven by their own sense of insecurity about the decisions that they themselves have made.  Listen to the right voices.