In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding a balance between work and personal life is more important than ever. As hybrid and remote work arrangements become the norm, boundaries between work and home lives are dissolving. Gone are the days of lengthy commutes, replaced by a new reality where the office is just a few steps away from our living rooms.

As lockdowns and isolation became a part of everyday life in 2020, people around the globe experienced a decrease in overall well-being, characterized by heightened stress, worry, and anxiety. Yet, amidst these negative shifts, the American advisory firm Gallup presented findings showing a surge in employee engagement. The uncertain circumstances of the pandemic resulted in job losses for many, and the hypothesis was that those who managed to keep their jobs were appreciative and driven to prove their worth. This puzzling development, known as the wellbeing-engagement paradox, suggested that the long-believed connection between employee well-being and engagement had become disjointed; even as mental health deteriorated, employees remained motivated throughout the pandemic.

Today, the cumulative effects of those extraordinary circumstances, including isolation and illness for many, are taking their toll. Quiet quitting - characterized by employees mentally withdrawing from their jobs without officially resigning - has been trending on social media. The Great Resignation refers to the widespread trend of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs in large numbers, seeking better work opportunities, improved work-life balance, and career changes. Theories attributed to these trends include growing emphasis on mental health and the emergence of new perspectives following the pandemic, such as that of the flexible, remote workplace.

When embarking on a new career path or seeking a better work-life balance, goal-setting can be incredibly helpful. Goal-setting also helps the brain maintain focus and minimize the impact of distractions. Studies have shown that people spend 28% of their work hours handling and recovering from interruptions, one of the most common causes of stress in the workplace.

Here are some practical exercises to assist in setting and achieving goals:

Identify Personal Values

Reflecting on core values is essential for navigating the complex terrain of work and life. Finding purpose and success in employment is a source of well-being among many, and understanding personal values is the first step in that process. Begin by reflecting on past experiences and discerning which values were upheld in positive situations versus compromised in negative ones. Another technique is to imagine one's funeral and consider what one would like said in the eulogy. By compiling a list of your values and ranking them according to significance, you can gain valuable insights into what truly matters to you.

Formulate Goals

Positive Psychology has an excellent article on how to formulate motivating goals that are clear, precise, measurable, and with a suitable level of difficulty.

Key takeaways revolve around clarity, difficulty, and complexity in terms of formulation, along with the importance of feedback and commitment in ultimately achieving the goals. To achieve goals, they need to be

• Challenging yet within skill level
• Formulated in a clear, concise way that reduces cognitive load

Continue this exercise by writing down three goals with the above criteria in mind.

Establish a Feedback Loop

Set a strategy for how to continuously monitor and follow up on the goals from the previous step. Examples of popular tools include journals such as Daily Greatness or habit-trackers like Habitica.

Finally, make sure to share your findings either online or with family and friends. It can spark deep discussions on life and lead to new perspectives.

In a world that has undergone profound transformations, it's essential to adapt and find ways to thrive in the new normal. Setting meaningful goals and aligning them with personal values can serve as a compass to navigate the complexities of work and life, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced existence.

Photo by Marvin Meyer