Nailing the Work-Life Blend

June 28, 2019 Lauren Brown

2-minute read

“I wanted to find a solution that was not just for me, but for others, on how to do our best work on terms that work for a full life and not see them as competing forces,” says Sally Thornton, founder of Forshay in the latest episode of Workhuman^® Radio (you can click here to listen to the full 25-minute episode).

A breakout session speaker at Workhuman^® Live, Sally is an expert on the work-life blend, and it stems from her own experience as a former “all-in” worker who was tired of sacrificing her personal life for her job. Forshay makes work better by connecting leading-edge companies with exceptional people and experimenting through design thinking sprints with a professor from the Stanford Design School, and clients like Airbnb and Mozilla.

Sally shares a lot of great nuggets in this episode, but here are my four favorite quotes:

“We're designed to sleep and think clearly in the morning, and to go out and do good work in the world, and to be with people we love. All of these things are important. But if we look at them as competing forces, it gives us the wrong visual and we've created a false choice. You're actually designed to have it all.”
“We're very good at taking care of others. We're just really bad at taking care of ourselves.”
“When I started doing research on the future of work, I’d ask, ‘What’s going to remain true and important that also is truly important today?’ And it comes down to what Workhuman^® is all about … How do you live in your body, how do you communicate with others, and how do you live fully? Appreciation, gratitude, and human connection are central things that are not going away, and in fact, I think are becoming more true and important.”
“We're embracing the fact that when we bring our full human self to work, and we are grateful for each other, and we express it and we have that human connection, then all of our energy is spent on creativity – which is what matters – and problem-solving, and not wasting energy on covering up who we are or trying to be some sort of ideal worker.”

You’ll have to listen in for more nuggets of wisdom and practical advice on how to achieve your own work-life blend. For more on Sally, visit forshay.com or follow her on LinkedIn.

10 takeaways from Workhuman 2019

The science of gratitude and well-being

Motivation is an inside job

About the Author

Lauren Brown is the senior copywriter at Workhuman, writing everything from emails and landing pages to all the signage at Workhuman Live. In her free time, she writes novels, shops vintage, and throws epic dinner parties.
More Content by Lauren Brown

Workhuman Book Club: "Unlocking High Performance" by Jason Lauritsen

In his new book, Jason challenges readers to question HR norms in order to unlock development and growth wi...

5 essential themes at SHRM 2019

Gratitude, authentic leadership, trust, and rethinking performance management surfaced as key themes for HR...

Return to Home

Resource Center

Nailing the Work-Life Blend

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

Nailing the Work-Life Blend

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

Most Recent Articles

Throughout the book, Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine show readers how to build a culture that meets critical human needs by ensuring people feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Working within a more bureaucratic organization can be challenging, but Gary shares practical tips for being the change and lifting others in the process.

On the heels of his new book, “Humanocracy,” which he co-wrote with Michele Zanini, Workhuman sat down with Gary to get his thoughts on the most pressing issues facing HR and business leaders today.

We’re thrilled to announce Emmy award-winning journalist Lisa Ling will play a key role as part of this dynamic broadcast.

In this episode of “Have a Minute?”, Dr. Patti Fletcher speaks with Niamh Graham on the fundamental difference between Social Recognition and employee recognition.

The first in the “Time to Thrive” webinar series, this program features Derek DeSousa from Citizens and Derek Irvine from Workhuman. They’ll discuss Citizens’ journey to modernizing recognition.

Nearly half of workers have not received a "thank you" during the pandemic. Has work during the pandemic become a thankless job?

From driving excellence to nurturing trust, the benefits of recognition for both the giver and the receiver cannot but understated.

In a candid North America CHRO Town Hall, hosted by Evanta and sponsored by Workhuman, DEI strategies were front and center – anchored by an esteemed panel that collectively called for real change.

"Nobody works alone anymore," says Rosette Cataldo, VP of performance & talent strategy at Workhuman. That's why companies are leaning into crowdsourced feedback and continuous performance management.

In our current crisis, the need to belong has become even greater and more keenly felt. That’s why community celebrations have taken on a renewed importance within the workplace.

This award was especially meaningful this year. I miss the human interaction and connection more than ever. Reading through my colleagues’ stories and photos helped me relive the past seven years.

In this episode of “Have a Minute?”, learn the difference between performance management and performance development.

The future feels very uncertain. To survive, grow, and continuously innovate, leaders should commit to creating a culture where every person can bring their imagination and passion to work.

This year the Total Rewards Association transformed from a live conference into a series of nine virtual events held each Wednesday starting in early July. Check out our blogs recapping the sessions.

As we all struggle to find the optimal COVID-19 response, corporate America is taking notes on our diverse experiments in place of work and wondering how the results should drive long-term strategy.

If ever the world needed the restorative power of gratitude, that time is now. Gratitude lifts us up, rejuvenates our spirit, and gives us a renewed resolve to meet the challenges we’re facing.

More encompassing and holistic than engagement, employee experience looks at and leverages the components that foster a positive workplace experience and long-term success.

Celebrate the women who got us this far and continue to pave the way for future leaders. Progress is slow; nevertheless, we must persist. It’s up to us how far we go and how quickly we get there.

Jason Lauritsen unpacks what’s changed and what hasn’t for organizations that want to continue to engage employees through and beyond COVID.