Several years ago, our HR Director started using the term “work-life fit” to characterize her support of employees’ life outside of NASA. “Balance”, she pointed out, was not appropriate. There are times in life when we need to provide more attention to our work, and other times when more attention is needed in the life side of the ledger.
For me, “work-life fit” involves balancing my roles at NASA, home (as a husband and father of three kids), and church (currently serving as 4th/5th grade Sunday School teacher and chair of our Deacon Fellowship). I often tell people that work will take as much as you’re willing to give it. So, you have to take responsibility to set guidelines and boundaries for your work-life fit. No one can or should define that for you. If you’re in a leadership role, it’s important that you not impose your own values and choices on those you lead…their work-life fit will undoubtedly differ from yours!
