Embracing balance and flexibility at work

An oak tree damaged after a storm.

Do you believe you could work yourself to death? In Japan, there is even a word for this: karoshi. Although this life-threatening situation might feel distant for the vast majority, common symptoms as headaches, chest tightness, digestive upsets, back pains along with daily stress in the workplace are a constant reminder of our imbalances for most of us. Soon or later, we may either consciously choose to make changes in our work-life balance or have our own physical limitations making us stop to reflect about it. So where to start? Before the western science and its cutting-edge empirical research, Eastern traditions have long been showing us ways to approach this issue. For instance, the Chinese bagua can be a powerful tool to address our modern living even though it has more than 5,000 years old (and still up to date!).

Balance at our work can only be achieved when we allow ourselves to be flexible. This flexibility starts from within, the ability of not being too soft neither too hard on ourselves. It later expands to others, our surroundings and the structures we are part of. You want to bend between different areas of your life without the fear of breaking within your own rigidity and, on the other hand, not too light as being taken away by others expectations. How can we have the courage to be flexible? The answer lies in knowing your roots, trusting your values and then allowing yourself to sway. Once deeply rooted, there are different ways to respond to external life pressures depending on its intensity.

Many in China would argue that this is originally a Chinese proverb.

The ancient metaphor of the bamboo symbolizes how we can be flexible in the interactions with other people and the environment around us:

1. Harmonious

Light interactions, i.e., sensible, gentle, soft: as the bamboo, when it sways even with the slightest breeze, we may also respond softly to external light interactions and when others get to know your sensibility and responsiveness, you may increase the likelihood of people cooperating with you in a more smooth way.

2. Conflict

Medium interactions, i.e., dispute, friction, opposition: when we face a more challenging interaction with other people, it might be a tough negotiation, an unexpected complain or a stronger misunderstanding, the bamboo teaches us not to butt heads, not to react impulsively or crash against others — this would result in too much waste of energy. As the external pressure builds up, the bamboo tree uses its elasticity, bends and then send the power back to its origin. This is the essence of most martial arts: using the opponent’s force against them.

3. Crisis

Heavy interactions, i.e., major change, critical point: when we face major external crisis and a storm of changes, it’s easy to see the majority of us internally shifting into survival mode and getting defensive and rigid. Like a great part of the inflexible trees in the forest, we might end up broken in the middle or even uprooted. However, the bamboo endures not only both extreme cold winters and hot summers but also they might be the only trees left standing after a typhoon, showing us again the importance of flexibility and being firmly rooted and grounded.

While many believe a fulfilling work-life balance — and more recently, work-life integration — are a far away utopia from their working reality, small changes based on flexibility, conscious choices and daily practice may eventually lead to meaningful professional and personal transformations.

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