As a dental leader and entrepreneur, I’ve learned the hard way that balancing family, career, work, and play is no easy feat.
I’ve juggled long work hours at the office, the endless email checking, and regular CE travel against the constant guilt of missing out on important moments with my family. Nobody ever said running a dental business was easy, but surely achieving a healthy work-life balance shouldn’t be this hard?
Well, for me, it was.
And no amount of work-life integration guides or tips seemed to help. Why? Because the traditional concept of work-life balance just didn’t cut it for me. Whenever the crap hit the fan, and I made the adjustments my family needed, it seemed like the system was out of alignment again after only a few days.
That was until I created a new approach to improve work-life balance: Temporal harmony.
Achieving temporal harmony isn’t about striving for a perfect balance, but finding a dynamic rhythm that works for me in the variable seasons of life.
It’s about being fully present and engaged in whatever I’m doing, without constantly dividing my time equally.
So. I made changes. I set clear boundaries, delegated tasks, and learned to trust my team. I scheduled intentional time for my family, hobbies, and self-care. And guess what? It worked.
What temporal harmony is and how it can work for you
Imagine a symphony where work and personal life are the two main instruments playing in harmony.
But instead of trying to keep them perfectly balanced all the time, we acknowledge that there will be times when one requires more attention than the other. That’s what temporal harmony is all about – finding the right balance based on the situation at hand.
Let me show you how it works.
I remember a time when my work demanded my full attention as I was launching a new business venture.
I was working longer number of hours, traveling, and putting all my energy into making it successful.
Knowing the challenges ahead, I met with my family and let them know what was going on and I asked for their support. We set boundaries, like the date when this phase would be over, and we even setup some “sacred” family time in the schedule each week to help them support me.
But we entered the season as a team, everyone aware of what was needed.
The catch, was that I had to honor the boundaries and I had to be willing to embrace the following season, where my family would rightfully, intentionally, and strategically get more of my energy…energy they deserved after that season apart.
Temporal harmony isn’t about 50-50. It’s about a season of 80-20, possibly followed by a season of 20-80. Whatever the distribution, it was about addressing the current needs.
The catch [and there is ALWAYS a catch, right?] was that I was responsible for keeping my finger on the pulse of my harmonic needs.
The flexibility that temporal harmony offers is the key for a balanced life
One of the key benefits of temporal harmony is its flexibility.
Instead of trying to achieve a perfect balance every day, you can approach life in 90-day cycles, allowing for unexpected events or changes in priorities.
As you well know, life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned. But by being adaptable and flexible, you can still maintain a sense of structure and progress while embracing the unexpected.
I learned this lesson the hard way when a sudden family emergency required my immediate attention.
I had to put work on hold and prioritize my family’s needs. It was a challenging time, but by being flexible and adjusting my plans, I was able to manage both my work and personal responsibilities effectively.
Temporal harmony allowed me to navigate through the unexpected with grace and resilience.
Seven work-life balance tips for achieving temporal harmony
Now that you understand the concept of temporal harmony, here are my top seven practical tips for achieving temporal harmony and mastering the art of work-life balance:
#1 Know your true north
Every person has tons of projects, obligations, and possible activities. You must be ruthless about knowing what’s most important right now. I believe that one of our biggest failures as a society is that we’ve been fooled into thinking our professional endeavors are always most important. Heck, what if they are NEVER your top priority? Either way, you must know where your energy authentically belongs.
#2 Be willing to pivot
Life is super unpredictable, and your priorities will change. So, embrace the unexpected and be willing to adapt and adjust your plans as needed. Stay nimble and go with the flow while maintaining harmony between work, family, and personal life.
#3 Prioritize your rest
Self-care is non-negotiable dear business leaders! Make it a priority to take regular breaks to recharge and rejuvenate. Whether it’s a quick workout, a leisurely walk, or quality time with loved ones, taking breaks will keep you focused and energized. NOTE: This is the priority everyone overlooks.
#4 Be crystal clear
Clear communication is key. Be open and transparent with your colleagues, friends, and family about your availability and boundaries. Let them know when you’re available and when you’re not, so they can plan accordingly. Setting healthy boundaries through effective communication can prevent conflict and promote more balance. Trust me on this!
#5 Know when to say no
Know your limits, and don’t be afraid to say no when your plate is full. Saying no is not a sign of weakness but a way to protect your time and energy for what truly matters. So, leave the “people pleasing” in the past and learn to graciously decline extra commitments.
#6 Be fully present
Be present in the moment and practice mindfulness. When you’re at work, give it your full attention. When you’re with loved ones, be fully engaged with them. The people who care about you deserve 100% of your attention. So, avoid multitasking or constantly thinking about work during personal time. I’ll say it again: BE PRESENT!
#7 Live with intention
Don’t let your work calls and emails bleed into your home time. Consider what “peak performance” looks like in your personal life. I often ask myself this question: “If I was going to maximize the outcomes of my evening with my family, what would that look like?” For me, that means phone off, activities planned, laughter turned on, and hugs galore. Being physically present isn’t value. Your loved ones deserve the presence of your focus, your heart, and all of your capacity.
Work towards a practice of temporal harmony today. I know you’ll feel a difference.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding the perfect work-life balance may seem like an elusive dream.
But with the concept of temporal harmony and my practical tips, I know you can create an approach that works for you and your life! Remember, it’s okay to prioritize different aspects of your life at different times – as long as each area balances out.
I’m done with work-life balance…from here on, it’s all harmony.
Ready to achieve temporal harmony in your work and personal life? Speak to me.
I’m Dr. Eric J Roman, your heart-centered mentor inspiring change and manifesting impact to help you create a better future for your dental practice and the dental industry at large.
Ready for a more balanced life, more financial freedom, and surging growth?