This struggle, of juggling time and commitments, is often created by our desires to achieve our own perceptions of joy, success, and satisfaction as part of an overall career or life plan. While we each seek an individualized goal of balance, often the way we think and talk about the number of things requiring our time, is the very thing that can rob us of the satisfaction we are seeking. It can also unwittingly undermine our credibility and ensure an unlimited, lifetime ride on the great hamster wheel.

The past two years have shown us that quite a bit can be accomplished remotely, forcing the debate to be more around how much should be done remotely. As leaders, the challenge in answering this question may largely depend on our own ability to understand what we each need from work vs. what we need to do the work.

When was the last time you did a makeover on your meeting style and philosophy? I am not talking about the zoom filter you apply or the virtual background you use – I am talking about the way you prepare for, schedule, manage and think about the purpose of any meeting. If you are still approaching meetings with the same reference frame you always had, it may be time to rethink and redesign this thought process.

I received my second vaccine a month ago. In the months, weeks, and days leading up to this, I had a list of the places I was going to fly off to and all the things I was going to do the moment I was immunized. Sun, warmth, and beaches permeated my thoughts. I thought transitioning from living with angst around my safety, back to my pre-COVID ways of being, would be as easy as a light switch turning on.

The reality of “return to work” is swiftly gaining momentum. In speaking with many clients over the past few weeks it is apparent this looming transition has some looking towards it with eager anticipation and others with sheer anxiety. In the meantime, “hybrid” has entered our vernacular at a never imagined rate. Most organizations have come to the realization that productivity did not suffer while working from home, and flexibility and balance will be critical in retaining happy, committed employees.