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HBR Guide to Work-Life Balance

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Every day you juggle the many components that fill your life. Between work and family commitments, volunteer work, hobbies, and managing your physical and mental health, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and that you’re letting someone down or neglecting some aspect of your life. But you can find ways to honor all of your commitments without collapsing.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2019

38 people are currently reading
205 people want to read

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Harvard Business Review

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Vinicius Lima.
20 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2020
If you don’t work in the corporate setting, the title definitely needs you to perform some transfer of knowledge. The more interesting chapter to me were the ones where psychology played a higher role. I am fortunate where a lot of work benefits are built in so I did not care much for part time status and other things like that. All in all, a good read. The last section is the best, in my opinion
67 reviews
April 12, 2024
This book was a godsend. I have severe workaholic tendencies. It wasn’t until a series of unpleasant events that occurred at work that I found myself terribly burnt out, lost, and resentful. I found this book amidst many other WLB self-help guides and decided to give it a shot. I read this while vacationing, which I feel helped me better assimilate its insights, given that I was mentally and physically disconnected from work.

As with other HBR Must Reads, this is a collection of articles by various authors. They are ordered by themes and in a way that makes sense. The first article, on Total Leadership, had the most impact on me. I’m trying it out now and things seem more hopeful.

Overall, this was a useful read that helped me: (1) become more cognisant of my workaholism and gain clarity on how to overcome it, (2) understand that we can’t have it all and so we need to set boundaries and make decisions that align with our life values. With these being iterative processes that require constant rebalancing, I might come back to this every once in a while for some refreshing.
171 reviews7 followers
July 1, 2019
A quick one-hour flip-through at book store.


Four domains of life: work, home, community and self. How much do I want to devote to each and how satisfied I am in each?

Experiment with small differences and observe incremental effects. Brainstorm on ways to do such small experiments. The best should improve among *all* dimensions and practice skills I most want to develop. They should benefit not only me but those around me. Measure progress.

No you can’t have it all. Need to clarify your values and allocate personal resources accordingly.
Profile Image for Jo.
109 reviews9 followers
October 27, 2019
Very useful book with selected sections you dip into as required. Sections of part-time work and family-work balance particularly useful. Full of research and case studies that add insight to lessons within.
Profile Image for Richard Zaslavsky.
27 reviews9 followers
January 10, 2022
If you're feeling like work gives you stress and you want to regain control over your life, this is a great book to help with this. At the same time, I think that regardless of such problem it's very useful for anyone to give it a read. Very useful practical tips here.
99 reviews
August 11, 2024
Work life balance

This is a collection of essays which articulate the need to live a balanced life.this may not be easy considering the various demands of career family and self but it is important if we are to thrive.
Profile Image for Jae.
146 reviews
September 17, 2025
It is useful when you need it. And I need this book right now very much
Profile Image for Mintaute.
319 reviews27 followers
August 26, 2021
Skaičiau iš profesinio poreikio, bet gerai suėjo ir asmeniniams dalykams. Patiko. Bene labiausiai dėl to, kad nors čia viskas paprastai ir kartais pernelyg paprastai sudėliota, visiems norintiems daugiau ir giliau, duodama labai daug reference'ų ir šaltinių.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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