“Well-being is not just the absence of disease or illness. It is a complex combination of a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social health factors, linked to how you feel about yourself and your life.” — Better Health Channel Leaving school in the 1960s, students were told to aim for the best career possible for the highest pay so they would be perceived as high achievers. How many people of mature age pushed themselves through difficult work situations in order to be seen as successful? Which brings up the question ‘What is Success?’ with a plethora of answers depending on your background and experiences. The need for changing work environment As one of those 60’s students and with many years spent in IT when there were few women in programming, systems analysis and project management, I realised finally that I was not enjoying life. I wanted to work more with people outside an office and to experience fun in my working life. The change factor The change came for me when I found myself on my own with four children to raise single- handedly. I had been running my business as a distributor of Microsoft products. My company was growing along the same enormous expansion path as Microsoft, and I was having difficulty in supporting it. Taking on a business partner would, I thought, end my troubles. That decision turned into a disaster which left me almost bankrupt and homeless with my four children in tow. Starting again, I determined to create a business harnessing my specialist skills and experience. also incorporating more of what I was missing; people and fun. For five years, I ran computer exhibitions for professional and home markets. I could do this from home as I possessed a high level of IT skills at a time when others were still learning about home computing. Each year, one bedroom accommodated a network of computers for two months prior to the event. I discovered that staff working with me enjoyed this new style of work environment. They too were seeking a flexible way of working that would enhance their work life balance, and positively impact their wellbeing. Flexibility enhancing work-life balance For me, the positive outcome was that I was present when the children arrived home from school. The flexibility of this work practice was that I could choose when to work. I could fit my work commitments around family and daily life commitments. Without the passion for my work, it would not have been possible. This experience provided me with new thinking around innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. With the family now grown up and developing their own careers and lifestyles, I have focused on the creation of another business which responds to my passion which I call ‘cultural travel’. After working in France for six years and developing bilingual skills, I discovered that friends visiting from Australia enjoyed my excursions more than all the bus tours and car hiring which they had previously organised for themselves. Lifestyle, well-being and business success achieved Back in Australia, I refocused on my journey of combining work/life balance, building a new business based on my learnings in France. Result: Slow Tours. My business which has been growing and led me to the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. Slow Tours has attracted many clients who, while being committed to their career roles, have identified their need to escape their pressure of work for a few weeks to enjoy a wonderful travel experience. Our small group tours based on no rushing, where everything is done for tour guests, is our way of demonstrating that there is a better way. Slow Tours guests have commented throughout the experience that they feel special, enriched, confident and relaxed; indeed they do have an interesting, fun, real, restful holiday. Also, they express that the essence of the slow tours provides them with that time to re-energise the inner self, and rekindle the passion for their work and personal lives. Achieving the goal of the balanced life As many people have written, and indeed the mantra for generation Y – when you are passionate about the work you do, you are not really working, but having fun and enjoying life. Success is there in achieving a balance in life and a richness and happiness in every day.
About the Author
HerBusiness (formerly Australian Businesswomen’s Network) is a membership community that provides education, training, resources, mentoring and support for women business owners.
