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Work/Life Balance

 

work life cloud 8(Image:  http://www.tagxedo.com)

 

Whether raising children, furthering our education, pursuing a hobby, or taking care of an elderly relative, balance is something we strive to achieve. Sometimes the issue isn’t so much balancing these responsibilities; rather, it is the ability to reduce the amount of conflict among them that is key. Conflict can occur when there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Work/life balance is about having a life full of achievement, knowledge, work, and fun. Whether your work is in the power plant or the classroom – you’re also a person with personal interests and responsibilities, a family, and hobbies.

Because we know that unresolved work/life issues can impact our well-being, the Faculty/Employee Assistance Program is here to help you manage problems of daily living and other mental health concerns. 

 

"When he worked, he really worked.                                

But when he played, he really PLAYED.      

The King's Stilts, Dr. Seuss

 

Self-Assessment: Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a broad concept evoking a prioritizing between "work" (career or ambition) on one hand and "life" (pleasure, leisure, family or spiritual development) on the other. The term itself may set up false ideas about there being an “ideal” balancing point when in fact the goal may be less about true balance and more about valuing conscious choice when it comes to where and how we spend our time. One person may think of work-life balance when they are experiencing life stress, while another may be trying to set priorities for addressing personal and family needs.

Work-Life Balance Exercises: Use the worksheet Balancing Life Roles, to examine the time you spend in your major life roles and the changes you would like to make to create better balance among areas of your life.

In addition, answer the following questions to become more clear on what work-life balance means to you.

1. What does “Work-Life Balance” mean to you?

2. Consider the fit between your current work role and your life outside work. Are you satisfied with your work-life balance?

3. What are your values about work and where it fits in your life as a whole?

4. What are your partner’s or family’s values about work and how it fits into your life together?

5. What is the impact of work-life balance and imbalance on you?

6. What are the issues that you prefer (“wants”) versus those that are absolutely non-negotiable (“needs”) in terms of work-life balance?

7. What do your answers to these questions tell you about your work-life concerns?

Source: HR/UC Berkeley 

 

Important Factors in a Balanced Life

What are the areas of our life we need to encompass while making decisions about our work-life balance?  What impact do the decisons we make and the priorities we set have on our mental and physical health, productivity, relationships and family?

Full-Time Juggling: Finding The Work-Life Balance INFOGRAPHIC

Work Life Balance, Mental Health America

14 Steps to Achieving Work-Life Balance by Dawn Dugan, Salary.com

 

Get Out, Get Connected, Get Moving

Although we need to practice physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's still very important to stay socially connected with others!  Click here for ideas on how to do this.  

Social/Recreational Opportunities

 

balance cloudArts -

AVA AVA Gallery and Art Center (Alliance for the Visual Arts) is dedicated to promoting the visual arts through exhibitions and educational programs that nurture, support and challenge New England artists, and to providing art classes for children, teens and adults of all levels and abilities. 11 Bank Street in Lebanon, NH.

Library Arts Center - Exhibits, classes and performances. Provide a wide variety of engaging, enriching events, and affordable educational experiences for both artists and patrons of the arts. 58 N. Main St., Newport, NH 603-863-3040.

Astronomy - Spring Astronomical Viewing at Dartmouth College.  9 to 11 p.m. when skies are clear.  Call to confirm if weather is questionable. Shattuck Observatory. 603-646-9100.

Book Clubs -

Books and Lunch, Second Tuesday of each month at noon. Howe Library, 13 E South St, Hanover, NH.

Adult Book Club in Lebanon, Lebanon. Two locations: Lebanon Public Library at 9 East Park St., Lebanon, NH and Kilton Library at 80 Main St., West Lebanon, NH, 603-448-2459.

Mystery Novel Group in Quechee. Discuss various works of murder and mystery during the group's monthly meeting.  Newcomers welcome.  Quechee Library, 802-295-1232.

Bridge -

Duplicate Bridge Club in Hanover - Tuesdays, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Weekly games sanctioned by American Contract Bridge League. $4. Players tend to be reasonably experienced, but all levels welcome. Hanover Friends Meeting House, 43 Lebanon St. 

Duplicate Bridge Club in Norwich - 401-215-4135. Weekly games sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League.  All experience levels are welcome.

Cars - Cars and Coffeein White River Junction, 8 to 11 a.m., third Saturday of each month.  Talk shop, share ideas, swap parts and make friends.  Rain cancels.  Tuckerbox Cafe, 28 Gates St. 415-894-0857, http://carsandcoffeenhvt.com.

Chess Club in Hanover - Drop-in chess games for children, teenagers and adults.  All ability levels, including beginners, welcome.  603-643-4120.

Cooking - King Arthur Baking School - Baking School, Baker's Store, and Bakery. Check out their calendar of classes. 135 US Route 5 South, Norwich, Vermont, 802-649-3361.

Crafting - Handcrafters gathering in Lyme.  Saturdays, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Weekly gathering of handcrafters for learning and companionship.  Just drop-in.  Free. Converse Free Library, 38 Union St. 603-795-4622.

Cribbage in Norwich - 802-299-0395.

Curling - The Upper Valley Curling Club will play each Saturday evening at 5:30 pm from January 7th through March 11th at the Barwood Arena in White River Junction. The club invites anyone with an interest in the sport of curling to join them this winter. For non-members the charge is $25 for the evening. For those who need it, the club supplies curling equipment. For those interested in the sport but lack experience, curling club members will provide instruction at regular curling clinics. Barwood Arena is located behind Hartford High School on Highland Avenue in White River Junction. For more information on league play, drop-in games, or clinics please e-mail uppervalleycurling@gmail.com or visit www.uppervalleycurling.org

Gardening - Hanover Garden Club - Members are welcome from all Upper Valley towns.

Hiking -

Dartmouth Outing Club - The Dartmouth Outing Club is the oldest and largest collegiate outing club in the country. Anyone — member or not — may stay at cabins, go on trips, rent gear, and take classes.  Faculty and employees get a discount on cabin rentals.

Hanover Conservancy - Hike of the Month, trips, events, workshops, trail maps and links to other outdoor resources.

International Women's Club - Coffee Drop-In in Hanover. Contact: Renie MacArthur, 603-643-3033. A nonprofit organization for women with an international origin, background, interest, or experience, who find themselves in the Upper Valley and would like to share their experiences, time, and concerns with a group of their peers.

Knitting  - 

Knitting Guild Meeting in Norwich - Group of knitters who get together and learn from each other. Beginners and newcomers welcome.  802-333-9372.

Knitting Group in Newport, NH - Bring a knitting project and join in conversation. Richard's Free Library, 58 N. Main St. Free.  603-863-3430.

Languages -

Italian Conversation Club in Enfield - Katharine Lary Jopek, Mascoma Valley Parks & Recreation, mvalleyrec@gmail.com, 603-632-5026.

French - Conversational French Club in Enfield - 10 to 11 a.m. each Saturday morning. Meet weekly to converse in French in a friendly, social setting. All skill levels welcome. Free.  Community Lutheran Church, 96 Main St. 603-632-5026.

Meet-Up Upper Valley – MUUV 's events and programs are open to all staff and their guests from participating companies and organizations all over the Upper Valley. Events include fitness activities, cooking, outings, day trips, etc.

Needleworkers Group in Quechee - Stitchers, needleworkers and knitters gather to talk and work on projects. Encouragement for all levels and abilities. Free. Quechee Public Library, 1957 Quechee Main St. 802-295-1232.

Political Discussion - Platypus Political Conversation Group in Hanover.  Weekly conversations about politics. All welcome.  Contact: Reid Kotlas, Platypus Dartmouth, rkotlas@gmail.com, 603-276-0518

Quilting - Northern Lights Quilt Guild in Lebanon - 802-295-5596.

Singing - Valley Chords in White River Junction. Learn to sing four-part a cappella music.  802-333-4577.

Yoga and Self-Care in Bradford, VT - Gentle Yoga followed by tea, conversation and tips for ongoing self-care. Yoga mats are available if requested in advance. No experience necessary. Open to all. Bradford Public Library, 21 South Main St. 802-222-4536.

 

Event Listings

Eventbrite - great resource to explore a wide variety of classes, events and activities throughout the upper valley, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Hanover Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events - local events and recreational opportunities listed. 

Valley News lists a Valley Calendar each day.

Area Libraries - Host many local organizations, reading groups, story time, etc.

  

Want to explore a little more?

9 Tips to Find a Fulfilling Work-Life Balance

 

 

Books: Getting Some Balance

getting things done book
 

 

 

Allen, D. (2015 revision). Getting Things Done: the art of stress-free productivity. London, England: Penguin Books.

 

 

decide book 2

 

 

 

 

McClatchy, S. (2014). Decide: Work smarter, reduce your stress, and lead by example. Hoboken, NJ, Wiley.

 

 

 

 

"If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good."

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Dr. Seuss

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