Cover Image: Boundaries, Priorities, and Finding Work-Life Balance (HBR Work Smart Series)

Boundaries, Priorities, and Finding Work-Life Balance (HBR Work Smart Series)

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Member Reviews

This is a great collection of strategies and thoughts about work and life in our over-busy age. Some are strategies I will try out. Others are not for me. A worthwhile read.

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As someone in a high-stress job that demands everything and more, I really resonated with this book. Burnout is very common in teaching, which is why only half of new teachers make it through even five years. These strategies were exactly what I needed to help myself create a more balanced life.

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This is a great read with an overarching theme of balance in the workplace and home life. I particularly liked that it is a compilation of pieces by different contributors - usually with a one-authour nonfiction read, a book is completely hit or miss. With this, having a different point of view and new advice at every turn was like a breath of fresh air, and it made for an easy read (which isn’t always possible with nonfiction!). I also liked the “quick recap” lists - a blurb to summarize the main points of each section.

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This is a clearly organized and written guide to dealing with work-life boundaries. While I read some parts with more interest, I think I need to follow this advice when it comes to every section. The problem is that it's one thing to understand the importance of setting boundaries so work doesn't interfere with life, but it's hard to practice that as I get back into a routine. For now, I think the advice on taking meaningful breaks was most important, because I have a habit of staying focused on work and missing breaks, which only leads to stress. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

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This was a good introductory text to help people who do not understand how to identify, establish, or maintain boundaries between work and the rest of their lives. I had hoped that there would be more specific examples and suggestions to implement these boundaries, rather than general concepts.

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This book delivers a powerful punch in a concise package, offering practical wisdom that's applicable whether you're fresh on the job market or seasoned in your career. As someone with over a decade in the professional arena, I initially approached it with skepticism, but it surprised me with its relevance and depth.

The authors address the universal struggle of maintaining work-life balance with refreshing clarity, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and aligning priorities with personal values. What struck me most was its timeliness, as I found myself grappling with overwork and burnout. The bite-sized chapters, packed with actionable advice, not only helped me navigate my own challenges but also provided insights for fostering a healthier workplace culture. Whether you're just starting out or deep into your career journey, this book serves as a beacon of guidance for reclaiming control and finding fulfillment amidst the chaos of professional life. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to strike that elusive balance.

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Thank you to NetGalley and to Harvard Business Review for the ARC of Boundaries, Priorities, and Finding Work-Life Balance (HBR Work Smart Series) by Russell Glass, Morra Aarons-Mele, Alyss F. Westring and Amantha Imber.

While it is briefly mentioned this series is meant for those beginning their career, I found it helpful as someone who has been working professionally for 15 years. I recently had to fill in for an empty role in my workplace in addition to my own work for very minimal extra pay (7 hours per week for a 40 hour per week job). The burnout, exhaustion, frustration, and all the other feelings were very real. Reading about boundaries and priorities now in these bite sized pieces is helping me to recognize where I could look to make more impact, where I could start drawing lines about when I am and am not available, It has also helped me to open up to my boss earlier today about some perceived personnel issues so they could be addressed before I could obsess over them or convince myself I should just take them on. It has also helped me to further recognize kindness and understanding I can offer to those I supervise and recognize their need for feedback and encouragement, even when things are really hectic and busy. It was also helpful to read about KSafe and other ways to disconnect and focus.

Overall, these summary-esque chapters were really intentional and focused on providing recommendations and improvements in meaningful pieces. I recommend this to anyone starting off in their career and looking to care for themselves, but also for those later in their career who are still trying to balance everything and struggling.

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