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Achieving Work-Life Integration: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Managing the Blurred Boundaries

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Due to the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life caused by technology and the rise of remote work, the concept of work-life balance has been replaced by the concept of work-life integration. Achieving a work-life balance in the past meant striking a balance between the time and energy spent on work and personal life to avoid burnout and enhance well-being. However, with the proliferation of smartphones, laptops, and remote work, it has become increasingly difficult to separate work from personal life, causing a shift toward work-life integration.

The concept of work-life integration refers to the integration of work and personal lives in a sustainable way that promotes well-being. It recognizes that work and personal life are intertwined and cannot always be separated. The focus is not on balancing work and personal life but maximizing the overlap.

Setting boundaries, creating a schedule, and finding ways to disconnect are some tips and tricks employees can use in the new work-life integration model. You should set boundaries regarding when and how work should be performed and communicate them with your employer and colleagues. It is vital to develop a schedule that includes time for work, personal life, and rest to ensure you balance all aspects of your life. Finding ways to disconnect from work, such as turning off notifications, is also important to achieve a better work-life balance.

Work-life integration is associated with positive outcomes for employees, such as improved well-being and job satisfaction. In a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, it was found that individuals who reported higher levels of work-life integration reported higher levels of psychological well-being and job satisfaction than those who reported lower levels (Kossek et al., 2011). In addition, a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that work-life integration was positively associated with employee well-being and negatively associated with employee burnout (Allen et al., 2014).

In a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, work-life integration was positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively associated with turnover intentions (Kossek & Ozeki, 1998). In a study published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior, Greenhaus & Powell (2006) found that work-life integration was positively associated with psychological well-being, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment.

The integration of work and life has also been shown to have positive effects on organizations. For example, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, work-life integration was positively associated with organizational citizenship behaviour and negatively associated with turnover (Allen et al., 2014).

However, it is important to note that research also suggests that work-life integration can lead to adverse outcomes, including work-family conflict, burnout, and stress, if not properly managed. The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that work-life integration may lead to work-family conflict and burnout if employees cannot set boundaries and disconnect from work (Grzywacz & Carlson, 2007).

5 Tips

  1. Take care of your physical and mental well-being by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. As a result, you will be able better to manage the demands of your work and personal life.

  2. Communicate effectively with your employer and colleagues about your work-life integration needs and expectations. As a result, you will be able to set boundaries and find effective ways to work together.

  3. Technology can be a double-edged sword in integrating work and life. Organize your time and stay organized by using tools such as calendar apps and project management software.

  4. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to ask for help. You can manage your work and personal lives more effectively by delegating tasks, finding a mentor, or speaking with a therapist.

  5. Work-life integration can be unpredictable, so it is vital to be adaptable and flexible. It is essential to be open to trying new things and experimenting with different ways of working to find what works best for you.

Conclusion

Although work-life integration has been linked to positive outcomes for employees and organizations, individuals and organizations must find ways to effectively manage and maximize the overlap between work and personal lives. This can be accomplished by setting boundaries, creating a schedule, allowing time for disconnecting and providing the necessary support and flexibility in the workplace.

References:

  • Kossek, E. E., Lautsch, B. A., & Eaton, S. C. (2011). Work-life integration: An examination of conceptualization, research, and practice through the lens of business travel. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 16(2), 230–250. 

  • Allen, T. D., Herst, D. E., Bruck, C. S., & Sutton, M. (2014). Consequences associated with work-to-familyenrichment and spillover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(6), 1401–1416. 

  • Kossek, E. E., & Ozeki, C. (1998). Work-family conflict, policies, and the job-life satisfaction relationship: A review and directions for organizational behavior-human resources research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83(2), 139–149. 

  • Greenhaus, J. H., & Powell, G. N. (2006). When work and family are allies: A theory of work-family enrichment. Academy of Management Review, 31(1), 72–92. 

  • Grzywacz, J. G., & Carlson, D. S. (2007). Reconceptualizing the work-family interface: An ecological perspective on the correlates of positive and negative spillover between work and family. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12(2), 167–178. 

Keywords: Work-Life Balance, Work-Life Integration, Tips, Tricks, Strategies, Managing, Blurred Boundaries, Burnout, Well-being, Remote work, Boundaries, Schedule, Disconnect, Self-care, Communication, Technology, Support, Flexibility, Prioritize.

Ed’ favourite things - Meet the Supply Co Single-Edge razor

GeneralEdward Kiledjian
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*** Let me state at the top, that this is not a sponsored post. ***

Look at my picture on my blog, and you will notice I have a shaved head. I have been shaving it since I was 18 years old using the standard Gillette cartridge razor and shaving cream method.

Earlier this year, I started investigating alternative shaving techniques and tested over a dozen injector razors and double-edge razors. Cartridge style razors (Gillette, Harry's, Schick, etc.) are the type of blade most of us grew up using. They are highly available and easy to use.

I shave my face and head every day; the cost of cartridges is significantly more (even with Harry's or Dollar Shave Club.) A typical blade lasts st most a week.

So single-edge and double-edge replacement blades cost less. Contrary to popular advertising, adding more blades didn't make the shave easier on my skin. Using a proper shaving regimen with the single-edge or double-edge razors yielded a gentler shave with less irritation.

Exploring

I bought a bunch of different razors (handle and blade combos for double-edge and single-edge injector kids). My double-edge blade collection is a collection sourced from 14 different countries.

After everything was said and done, I chose the Supply Co single-edge injector style razor as my preferred shaver.

I tested the following injector razors:

  • Supply Co (version 2)

  • Shave Classic Single Edge Razor Handle

  • Schick injector razor (old version)

I tested the following injector blades:

  • Schick

  • Supply Co

  • Personna mini

Introduction to the Supply Co Razor

The first characteristic you will notice is just how nice the razor feels in your hard.

It is an all-metal build using Metal Injection Molding (typically used to manufacture aerospace components or medical items). This process allows them to create razors with very tight tolerances. You would expect an all-metal razor to be slippery. Still, the bead-blasted surface allows for easy gripping, even with wet hands. It is very subtle, and the razor looks sleek and smooth.

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Supply Co understands that preferences are personal. They include three configuration plates for the blades (think gentle, classic and close). After testing all three, I chose and still use the close adjustment plate. You can use any injector blade with the Supply Co razor.

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They include a small supply of Supply Co razor blades with each kit (and they run free blade for life promos every once in a while). Their blades are slightly thicker than the competition, making them particularly suitable for mowing down multi-day beards. The Supply Co razor injector comes with eight blades and a used blade catcher underneath.

A traditional Gillette style cartridge razor required two passes to get a good shave (even with their 5-blade razors). Using a pre-save cream, shave soap, and the Supply Co razor requires an additional pass. The result is a less irritated and closer shave.

What about the cost?

I always used high-quality shaving products, so moving to a pre-shave cream and shave soap didn't increase the cost that much. The Supply Co razor is ($75USD) is more expensive than a traditional Gillette razor ($10-15USD).

Still, the cost of razors and blades catches up at five months, and it becomes much cheaper after that.

The other important factor to consider is that the Supply Co razor is guaranteed for 100 years. As long as you don’t lose or abuse the razor, you likely won’t have to buy another razor for a while (if ever).

What about the Double-Edged razors

I tested several razors and blades. All in all, I must have gone through 30 separate combinations. Which blades did I try? here is the list of double-edge blades I tried

  • Derby Extra

  • Astra Superior Double platinum

  • Shark

  • Asco

  • Lord Cool

  • Big Ben

  • Shark Platinum

  • Rapira Voskhod

  • Clifton

  • Treet Dura Sharp

  • Silver star

  • Vidyut Super-Max

  • Ladas

Here is the list of double-edge razors I tried:

  • Wilkinson Sword

  • Merkur Classic 3 piece

  • Merkur progress adjustable 2 piece

  • Weishi Long Handle

I found the Supply Co razor more gentle (less irritation). I found it particularly challenging, shaving the back of my head with the double-edge (more prone to cutting and missing patches of hair) than the Supply Co razor.

In preparation for this entry, I shaved a 2-day beard with my favourite double-edge combination and the Supply co razor with their in-house blades. With three passes using the same process, the Supply Co side was smoother, less irritated and had fewer nicks.

Change in mindset

The other unintended change was my mindset around shaving. Not sure why this change happened, but it did. I had always seen shaving as a necessary evil.

When I switched to the single-edge razor with a pre-shave cream, shave soap with a boar hair brush and an alum stone, I find shaving a relaxing self-care ritual.

Shaving is personal

Shaving is a very personal experience, and everyone will have different preferences. I suggest you get involved in the dozens of online communities and find the combo that best suits you.

A handful of members in these communities also switched to the Supply Co after my experience, and have now become converts.

Some may prefer the double-edge razors, while others will always see shaving as a chore and go with the mid-priced cartridge razor on special at their local pharmacy.

Ultimately shaving is something most of us will do for many years, so it is worth investing a little bit of time in finding the best solution for you.