Work-life balance:

The motivation behind this essay comes from the phrase "work-life balance" itself. Please pause for a few moments, and reflect on the phrase. It basically projects that work ain't a part of life. How interesting... and untrue!

Anyway, if we forgive the inherent flaw in the phrase, we may look at the concept. My few friends have been debating over this concept over the last few days, and are trying to compose a list of IT companies that offer "good" WLB.

I deem that this pursuit is inherently flawed. And more flawed is the perspective that looks for companies that provide good WLB. Firstly, a company will never provide you any balance. It is upto all of us to create one. I guess what the seekers wanna know is that which companies provide flexible timings, good recreation sources, and where work comes along with fun, parties, and camaraderie; where bosses are more like buddies, and where people are encouraged to ask Qs, and seek As.

Again, let's accept that the Qs are inherently subjective, and so may be their As. I recall a quote I read somewhere -- if there are 2 persons in a room, there are, in fact, 6 personalities in the room; how each person thinks he is, how each person perceives the other person, and how each person actually is.

After 7 years in the IT industry, I do not strive for WLB. I have read many stuff appealing me to do what I love. Till now, I thought all that was crap. The reason was simple -- I did not know what I love to do. The last 2 years or so have revealed this. More correctly, I realize what is it that I do NOT love to do, and that helps me see distantly what I love to do.

Hence, the right Q should be to ask yourself what is it that you do NOT wanna do, then find out what is it that "may" interest you. Finally, find this work. Forget about WLB, and all related shit :-).

Happy working!