Finding Work-Life Harmony in Unexpected Ways

The COVID-19 pandemic changed not only the way we work, but also the way we think about work. Forced to do our jobs from home during quarantine, many people realized they didn’t have to commute into an office every day. We also had more time to assess our situations and whether our jobs were a fulfilling part of our lives. For many people, the answer was no. That led to what’s being called The Great Resignation as people quit their jobs to find a different type of work that allowed them to truly enjoy their lives.

Work Life Balance vs. Harmony

For decades, people have sought ways to improve work-life balance. The term became popular in the 1970s and ’80s as baby boomers endeavored to have it all. At its core, work-life balance meant leaving work in the office when you went home for the day, or the weekend, and not spending company time dealing with family responsibilities.

The advent of email and cell phones has made it practically impossible to separate work and family into two separate buckets. Employers can reach us around the clock, and for many of us, our homes have become our office. On the flip side of this, many companies have begun to recognize the benefits of remote work, flexible hours, and giving employees time off for family obligations.

So, no longer are we looking for ways to improve work-life balance; instead, we’re striving for harmony. This approach recognizes that we can’t always easily separate our work existence from our personal existence and seeks to find ways to integrate the two into a harmonious life.

As a society, we’ve begun to realize how vital this is for our mental health. In 2022, a report published by the U.S. Surgeon General listed work-life harmony as one of the five essential parts of workplace mental health and well-being.

What Does Harmony Mean for You?

Since a harmonious life looks different to everyone, there’s no one way to achieve it. To find what’s best for you, start by setting realistic goals. Overcommitting, be it to work or social obligations, will leave you stressed and dissatisfied. Don’t be afraid to set clear boundaries, delegate, and even say no.

Your time is limited — use time-management techniques to make the most of it. By prioritizing tasks and focusing on completing them in your most productive hours, you will become more efficient.

And don’t forget about self-care. Take a walk or schedule an exercise class on your lunch break. Be sure to stay hydrated and make healthy food choices. And don’t be afraid to take a mental health day every now and then.

How Semi-Absentee Ownership Can Help

People stuck in bad jobs with horrible bosses sometimes believe that if they worked for themselves, they’d have more control over their lives. But this plan can backfire, as owning a business, especially starting one from scratch, usually requires longer workdays and much less time off than a traditional job.

Semi-absentee franchise ownership addresses this problem. In the semi-absentee business model, the owner oversees the franchise, but hires a manager to handle the day-to-day operations. This arrangement allows franchisees to maintain their current jobs, careers, or other business interests while gradually reducing their direct involvement in the franchise. It provides a pathway to achieving harmony by offering the flexibility to pursue personal and professional goals outside of the franchise while still benefiting from business ownership.

Achieve Harmony with Two Maids

Work-life harmony brings personal fulfillment, and at Two Maids, we know that fulfilled people make the best franchisees. We offer semi-absentee ownership so our franchisees can integrate this new venture into the lifestyle they imagine for themselves — whether it’s a flexible schedule to spend more time with their family, the opportunity to work from home, or the desire to keep working at their current job. In fact, approximately 50% of our franchisees are semi-absentee owners.

Get Started with Two Maids Today

Two Maids offers a unique opportunity to invest in your future while preserving the balance you seek. If you're ready to explore how Two Maids can help you achieve your work-life harmony goals, don't hesitate to take the next step. Request info today to learn more about the exciting possibilities that await you as a Two Maids franchise owner. Your journey to a more balanced, harmonious life begins here.