Work-Life Harmony Is Real-A Sustainable Strategy For Women Leaders

Whenever the phrase work-life balance comes up, you can almost hear the collective sigh. Eyes roll, stress rises, visions of jammed calendars dance in your head…and someone inevitably says, “it’s a myth…it’s like chasing perfection.” And honestly, doesn’t it feel that way?

Balance implies that everything…work, family, relationships, self-care, should all get equal time and attention. But life doesn’t work like that. There are seasons when work needs more from you, and others when your energy is focused on care-giving, grieving, dreaming or healing.

Here’s the truth: Work-Life balance isn’t about doing it all.

It’s about not losing yourself while doing what matters. And that’s why I stopped chasing balance and started building something better…Work-Life Harmony.

There was a shift from balance to harmony. Balance feels rigid. Harmony allows movement. Balance pits work and life against each other, as if they’re in a constant tug-of-war. Harmony invites both to work together to support you.

When you think about it, work is part of life. You can’t separate one from the other, especially in today’s world where our phones bring emails to our dinner table and our home lives sneak into Zoom calls.

That’s why presence matters. Harmony means being where you are…fully. It’s not about always being in control. It’s about being conscious and intentional.

We always talk about mindset and how it needs to shift.

Let’s think about it this way:

1. Work is part of life. Your career doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s one part of a fuller picture.
2. It’s not about balancing time. It’s about living well. Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s your leadership strategy.
3. When things feel out of balance, choose YOU. Don’t ask for permission to reset your priorities.

What I know for a fact is that the most capable and experienced women that I work with and know quite well, create lists and calendars because everything is a priority and needs to get done. What I also know is that everything doesn’t need equal time, but it needs intentional attention. Is every item on your list of equal importance? Is something on there a one and done item? Can anything be delegated to someone else’s list?

Try this instead. It’s the delegation and prioritization exercise. Yes it takes a little time, but I promise it’s worth it. Here’s how I walk clients through it:

Step 1:Write down everything you do personally and professionally. Every task your hands are touching…seriously everything. When you think you have everything on the list, get up, take a breath, come back, and see if you missed anything. Make sure everything is on the list. When that is done proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Go through the list and circle everything that only you can do. No one else can do it…just you.

Step 3: The rest? That’s your delegation list.

Step 4: Look at what’s circled and ask: What small adjustments could bring more harmony into your day?

Step 5: Now prioritize that circled list. If everything is a priority, nothing is. Identify your top 3. Own your focus. Don’t use your lack of defining your priorities as an excuse for not getting anything done.  It’s time to sit yourself down and start creating a list.

This exercise is a favorite with my executive coaching clients. Why? Because it gives them permission to stop chasing everything and start owning what really matters.

And of course there is a bonus step…

Don’t Forget About You!

Let me be clear: Making time for yourself is not being selfish, and it should not have any cause for guilt. It’s how you lead with strength and resilience. Many women, especially high achievers, are last on their own list. We squeeze moments of rest only after everything else is done. And sometimes, we feel guilty for even wanting rest.

But here’s what I know for sure…time for yourself improves clarity, restores focus, sparks creativity and strengthens your decision-making. It helps you remember who you are…outside of the roles you fill.

I used to think that the more booked my calendar was, the more important I must be. But when I looked closely, I realized that I had scheduled everyone and everything except time for what really mattered…my family, my health and the quiet moments that actually fuel me. I had to change that, so I decided to create some structure without feeling overwhelmed. I have shared this with so many clients, colleagues and close friends and it changes people’s lives.

In 1990, as a single mom juggling a demanding schedule, I found a system that worked. It was the calendar that changed my life. The first thing I will say is to part the technology portion of your brain for just a moment. I bought a blotter-sized calendar and a pack of different colored markers-one for each family member, plus one for me.

We used the calendar for everything-school plays, work travel, doctor appointments and down time. Each person’s priorities were color-coded and visible. When everything was on paper, we could see where our time and energy were going and make intentional choices to protect what mattered most.

That system has followed me through decades of leadership, and it’s still one of the most effective tools I share. It works because it forces clarity. If it’s not on your calendar, it’s not a priority. And if everything is a priority? That’s a fast track to burnout.

Harmony is a choice…it is not a myth.

Work-life balance may still be the phrase we hear, but I choose harmony every time.

Harmony is active. It asks:

• What do I need more of today?
• What am I willing to let go of to create space for what matters?

It gives you permission to reset your expectations and define success on your terms…not someone else’s.

Because success doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. It means showing up fully, with intention, energy and alignment. That’s not a myth. That’s a strategy for sustainable leadership.