Work-life balance versus work integration: What's the difference?

Though work-life balance is a term most of us aspire to accomplish, according to Mia Cary, DVM, CEO at PrideVMC and CEO and Change Agent at Cary Consulting, it's a scale that isn't necessarily attainable. In a recent interview from the Fetch dvm360^® Kansas City conference, Cary outlined the differences between work-life balance and work integration, plus offered a few helpful nuggets on how to incorporate fun into the workplace.

"We spend around 90,000 hours at work in an average lifetime. So, I started thinking that if I'm spending that much time at work, it's got to be fun and it's got to be pleasurable. So it's not one or the other, we'll never achieve that balance," Cary told dvm360^® staff. "It's more so integrating work into our lives and doing it with intention."

Cary then pivoted towards the importance of instilling fun and authenticity into the workplace and how it can nourish a playful and authentic environment.

"A big part about [work integration] is play. I think for a long time, we were told we had to have separate work and home personas," said Cary. "And thank goodness that over the last couple of years, it's been much more acceptable to be authentic and vulnerable in the workplace—it's even encouraged. I think...when we're being ourselves, we're more likely to be a little more light-hearted."

To learn more, watch the full video below.

Editors note: All veterinary technician content for this month is supported by Banfield Pet Hospital.