Neerja Birla recently discussed her opinions on the frequently misinterpreted concept of work-life balance. She presented a realistic perspective in an interview with The Times of India, contending that the idea of attaining perfect balance is not only impractical but also deceptive.
“Firstly, it is not easy, and I don’t want to glaze it and say that it is a cakewalk — it is not,” Birla said, emphasizing the pressure that comes with juggling various roles, especially for women. "I find work-life balance in very utopian; you have to try and find harmony in it," she added.”
Flexible boundaries over rigid structure
Instead, Birla promotes the idea of harmony: “You need to balance it, but in real life, you have to find a way to balance it out and find harmony in it,” she explained. “It is difficult to find boundaries, but they have to be flexible boundaries.” According to her, life doesn’t come in separate boxes, and neither should the way we approach our personal and professional responsibilities.
She gave a weekly overview of her time management process. It has become easier for me over time. She stated, "What I do is I like to balance it in a week," implying that taking a longer view of time reduces the burden of everyday responsibilities.
Letting go and embracing imperfection
Birla also emphasized the importance of letting go. "You won't always get your way. It's immensely liberating to know that because it reduces stress to constantly want things to go your way," she said. "So it's beneficial to let it go."
"You are allowed to make mistakes, as you are not perfect," she continued, reminding everyone to treat themselves with kindness. Her straightforward perspective presents a more appropriate way of living that values well-being over impractical goals, embraces imperfection, and promotes flexibility.
Watch the interview here:
