I learnt about the 4 Qs, an eye-opening approach towards time, while working on the company’s strategy and plans on Work-life balance during my stint in Hong Kong. Perhaps the simplest concepts teach us the most.
During discussions, agreeing on what is work-life balance took its time: Is it a myth, an unreasonable target, how could companies support it? Why are work and life two different things – Isn’t work a part of life?
Coming to HK after 8 years in multiple operating roles, where cell phones buzzed incessantly and home was a place you go to just eat and sleep, I had a very different perspective on life, work and the imbalance. It was time to invest in the career, rise up the ladder, focus on personal development and growth. Work and Family time were intertwined and Work always took priority and most of the waking hours. The discussions, on the 4 Qs, changed my thinking and view on relevance of time.
The 4 Quadrants of Time:
Work Time: The time we partner, engage, contribute to a common endeavor. Most of us start, join or consult with organizations, contributing and developing skills and offering our most precious commodity: Time and in return get rewarded, recognized and in most cases, compensated. Most of the waking hours through our career journeys are spent on Work time.
Family Time: The core of our existence. Parents, spouse, kids, siblings, cousins, extended family: The ones who define our standing in the social networks. The connects that were set the day you were born and will outlast your Work. Take a minute: Reflect on the emotions when you 1) Imagine a life without work? and now 2) Imagine a life without family? Giving time to family makes the bonds stronger and make us feel more assured and secure. The payback is multilayered.
Friends Time: The relationships you built through school, college and at the work-place. A special cohort that shaped your life in many ways: the career you chose, the dreams you pursued, the roads you did not take. The chosen few who you can call at the dead of night, without thinking twice. A quick weekend catch up can brighten the days ahead.
Me Time: Me, I. You get defined and shaped by the time you spend at Work, with Family and Friends. Me time, time for reflection and personal pursuits, is critical. While we tend to juggle the Work, Family and Friends, Me-Time tends to be ignored. When was the last time you spent some time with yourself?
Stages of Life: In my experience, some quadrants take more space at different stages of our life. In college it is just Friends and Family (Work ?). Early career, Work takes over, other quadrants shrink. Mid career, Family starts demanding time, Friends take a bit of the back seat and Work looms large. There are moments of balance, but Me Time perhaps gets the raw deal all through.
This 4 Time Quadrant view , helps me keep my plans in perspective. All 4 need their space. Some may over overshadow for a while but a big price has to be paid if any are ignored. Lack of balance over elongated periods of time creates stress.
The new spin: We still have only 24 hours in a day, but a new time sucker has stepped in.
Social Media/Cell Phone Time: Across generations, people are spending upwards of 4 hours on their phone (check your Screen Time!). This a unique one where we connect with Work, Family and Friends – virtually and it eats into all other quadrants, taking away real connect time, is it worth it?
What are your thoughts? Are you able to balance the 4 Qs? Is the Cell Phone time slowly upsetting your balance?
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