This document summarizes a Twitter chat about achieving work-life balance. Three career experts discussed the challenges of constant connectivity from smartphones, doing more with less in a difficult economy, and the benefits of flexible schedules and work-from-home environments. They advised employees to negotiate with bosses by defining their work-life vision, ensuring it's compatible with realities, and drafting a well-thought out plan focused on job performance, not personal needs. Work-life balance looks different for everyone and changes over time and life stages.

1. #MWchat:
Achieving Work-Life
Balance in Today's
Workplace
*Part One*

2. Career experts share advice on finding a
healthy work-life balance
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3. Who Are Our Experts?
@MonsterCareers @CaliYost @MaggieMistal
Charles Purdy Cali Williams-Yost Maggie Mistal
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4. What contributes to an unhealthy
work-life balance?
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5. Difficult Economy  Do More with Less
Smart Phones  Constantly Connected
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6. What are the benefits of flexible hours and
work-from-home environments?
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7. “We are each unique and
productive at different times
of the day. Flexible
schedules let you work
when at your best.”
- M. Mistal
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8. “Flexibility to work from home takes away commute
times, leading to happier employees. Happier employees
are more productive.”
But Beware…
“Building those important professional relationships with
colleagues & managers can be more difficult from home.”
- C. Purdy
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9. “Flexible schedules touch on all aspects of
engagement: job satisfaction, less stress,
autonomy. Employees make the extra effort.”
- C. Yost
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10. Is work-life balance the same for everyone?
How do you define what it looks like for you?
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11. “All of us have a completely unique work-life fit.
It changes daily and during major life transitions.
We all need to allow for periods where there is
more work than life, and vise-versa.”
- C. Yost
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12. Look to times in your
career when you were
happiest. What was your
schedule? How in control
were you of your time?”
- M. Mistal
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13. How can employees negotiate a healthy
work-life balance with their boss?
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14. Cali’s 3-Steps to Work-Life Fit: Step 1
Define "What do I want?" Most people only know
what DON'T want. Typically, really only want a
relatively small change.
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15. Cali’s 3-Steps to Work-Life Fit: Step 2
Step 2: Compare your work and personal realities
to that "vision" make sure they are compatible.
Make have to make changes.
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16. Cali’s 3-Steps to Work-Life Fit: Step 3
Draft a well-thought out plan to start discussion w/
your employer. Focus on "how" you will get job
done, not "why" want flex.
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17. “Always make it primarily about what's good for the
company, not about your needs.”
- C. Purdy
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18. “Understand his/her goals and priorities. Then
show you can deliver on them w/o working round
the clock, don't make miracles.”
- M. Mistal
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19. Stay tuned for Part Two, which will focus on finding a
job with a flexible workplace.
Comments or questions? Reach us at #MWchat or
@MonsterCareers.
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20. Here’s a little more info about our experts
@MonsterCareers @CaliYost @MaggieMistal
Charles Purdy is Cali Williams-Yost is Maggie Mistal is a well-
Monster’s job search a work-life flexibility renowned career and life
and career expert. You expert. She blogs at coach. She hosts
can find his advice at worklifefit.com and “Making a Living with
MonsterWorking.com. contributes to various Maggie” on Martha
national publications. Stewart Live Radio.
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21. Thank You
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