When work isn't everything: Quality of life - more than well-being at work
- johannahuhta3
- Jan 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 10
Read or listen to a blog. Maybe go outside for a short walk and listen to a blog.
1. The subjectivity of quality of life
Quality of life is always a personal experience. It is not something that can be measured by external
with metrics or compare yourself to other people. For one person, a good quality of life may mean an unhurried
everyday life with time for family and hobbies. For another, it might be a career with
constantly new challenges and opportunities to develop. The subjectivity of quality of life is reflected precisely in
here: each of us experiences it in our own way, through our own values and expectations.
For example: Think of two people who both get a promotion. One sees it as a great achievement and a life-enhancing quality because it aligns with their goals. The other may feel stressed and pressured because the new responsibility is not what they expected from life.
The experience of quality of life is personal and is not tied solely to what happens outside.
Current assessment
Quality of life is based on how a person experiences their current life situation – here and now.
This experience covers many aspects of life, such as physical and mental health,
financial situation, relationships and work life. We often don't think about how
In a holistic way, all these components influence each other. For example, if working life
is going well, but there are challenges in personal life, can the quality of life experience
weaken.
For example: You can be healthy and successful at work, but if your relationships don't work or
If you feel lonely, your quality of life may feel low. On the other hand, if you experience a great deal of stress at work,
stress, but you can enjoy meaningful hobbies and the company of loved ones in your free time,
overall quality of life may still feel satisfactory. Present-day assessment is always
a multidimensional experience.
My expectations
Quality of life is not just about what we have or what we achieve, but how well we live it.
everything corresponds to our own expectations and goals. If the realities of life exceed
our expectations, we may still experience a good quality of life, even if there are challenges in everyday life.
Similarly, if life doesn't match what we expected, it can feel like a disappointment,
even though everything looks good on the outside.
For example: A person who has set a goal to reach the top of their career may experience frustration if they do not reach it on time, even if they are very successful in their own work. On the other hand, someone else experiences a good quality of life by focusing on small daily joys and simple things, even if their career does not progress in the same way.
Expectations determine how we experience our own lives.
Health-related quality of life and related metrics are a chapter in themselves and we will not
go today. However, as one example I want to point out, sometimes when a person
becomes ill, his values and priorities may change. Illness may force
an individual to look at their life priorities from a new perspective. For example
You can move from a career-focused life to emphasizing the importance of family and health. This way
The experience of quality of life can actually improve when expectations and values adapt to the new
reality. Even if your health has deteriorated, a new world of values can create a deeper
satisfaction and meaning in life.
Quality of life and well-being at work – a holistic perspective
Quality of life is a broader concept than well-being at work. It encompasses us as a whole –
we are not just employees, but people who have a life outside of work. We bring the whole
ourselves to work on – our personal joys, sorrows and hopes. At this point it is important
broaden the perspective from work well-being to quality of life, as the workload often begins to show
in the things that bring us joy and strength in everyday life.
When we are unable to recover properly, everyday life begins to revolve around work. Work becomes
easily become the focus of performance, and the rest of life takes a back seat. This can lead to
After work or on weekends, time is spent just getting through the next workday.
In this case, it may happen that we no longer have the energy to invest in the things that support
our coping skills – for example, exercise, a healthy diet or spending time with important people
with less.
For example : Imagine a person who is so exhausted after a day at work that the evenings are just spent
lying on the couch. He can't go for a run, he can't cook healthy food, and the time he spends with his family is decreasing. Little by little, his quality of life is deteriorating, even though he still gets the job done well.
The burden is not always first seen in work tasks, but in how we take care of ourselves and other important things in life.
The role of the supervisor: The importance of listening and empathy
The supervisor has a huge impact on how an employee experiences their own quality of life,
especially at work. One of the most important skills for a supervisor is to be able to listen genuinely and
Put yourself in the employee's shoes. It is important to understand that what something means
to a supervisor, may be completely different from what it means to an employee. Each
Life situations and expectations are different, so the importance of empathy is emphasized. A good supervisor
does not make assumptions, but listens with an open mind and strives to understand how the other person feels
their own situation.
For example: An employee may be exhausted from their workload, even though from the supervisor's perspective the workload does not seem heavy. It is important to recognize that the experience of work and workload is individual. A supervisor's empathy and listening skills can help the employee find solutions that support their coping and quality of life.
By listening and putting yourself in the other person's shoes, a supervisor can create a safe and appreciative work environment where employees feel understood and supported.
To summarize: Quality of life – holistic well-being
Quality of life is determined by how we experience different aspects of our lives in relation to our own expectations.
It is not limited to well-being at work, but encompasses us as whole people – people with both professional and personal needs, desires and challenges. When we talk about quality of life, it is good to remember that we bring our whole selves to work. Work-life balance is the key to a good quality of life.
If any part of life is neglected, it can detract from the overall experience, even if things are going well at work. Improving your quality of life starts with taking a moment to consider how you can balance the different areas of your life and making sure you are also taking care of the things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Let's take care of ourselves, stop to listen and care!
I hope you enjoyed this and the best way to get feedback is to ask for it, so please let me know.
your feedback in the link, by calling or sending a message. Whatever is easiest for you.
Johanna Huhta from Balance Factor writes about quality of life. Johanna dreams
better quality of working life.
Comments