The term I like to use is work-life fluidity – freedom to effortlessly move between work and life as you see fit. It’s the flexibility to adjust and adapt your schedule to integrate all the activities you have going on in your life.

Like Judy said, there’s a thin line between work and life now and there’s no reason to keep rigid boundaries between the two worlds. For me, being able to move back and forth freely is more important than striking a balance.

I’ve heard that WorkLife Effectiveness is making its self known as well (Catalyst is using this term) but I digress. I like Matthew’s POV.

To Matthew’s academic point (please refer to above discourse) I do like the term, “mindful careerism,” although it might be too esoteric for the masses, (sans moi).

I think we should start tweeting this term up, as what he speaks of is what many are striving for in what I term our WorkLife Nation. Might seem shamelessly self-indulgent (using my term) but I truly believe that the living and working experiences have merged or blurred – calling upon us to integrate all that we are as human beings.

I believe that we’re being called upon to go deeper into self-discovery, toward a new way of working with passion and purpose.

“Workplace flexibility” seems to be too limited in terms of what you’re trying to do here: namely, explore the connection between our working lives (our careers) and our personal lives (friends, families, interests, etc.)

For this reason, I most appreciate Stephanie R’s point that what we’re really after is a balanced life. It’s not about work, on the one hand, and everything else on the other, it’s about seeing the totality of activities, interests, and obligations that make up our lives and striving to create balance between them.

Since that doesn’t really answer the question though, let me throw this out as an other option: “mindful careerism,” defined as, “striving for a holistic approach to life that does not divide it artificially into conflicting components but seeks to integrate our wishes, passions, and interests with the material needs, physical limitations, and personal responsibilities we all must inevitably bear.”

Can you tell I went to grad school?

Bottom line, whatever it’s called, if you want to advance the topic, speak in your audience’s words. I can’t imagine the average worker walks around thinking, hhmmmm how can I have more work life effectiveness.

And, of course, let’s hope companies stop thinking of it as a program, and instead as a strategy…a model…a way of doing things…a way of life and a way of work.

FlexPaths@leanneclc: FlexPaths votes for Work/Life Effectiveness (however it works for the individual), as opposed to balance.

First, the desperate need to hold onto a job creates a need to work more leading to burnout. How do we juggle that? Then Boomer retirement – it;s more like having to rewire since 401-K’s went out the window. Again – working more hours to make that transition into entrepreneurship ,and finally – social capitalism or values driven careers. Some are looking for a higher purpose and meaning in their work. Thus having to make a living and spending many hours devoted to a new career that gives back in some way.

Simply – I think we’re living in a WorkLife Nation. No matter what you call it – there’s a think line between the worlds.

MizFitOnline: @joannesardini @leanneclc Im striving for work/life HARMONY. 4 me that means all thgs working in tandem. balance? elusive rt now

JoanneSardini: @leanneclc Trying to balance, but finding flex schedule helps tons! Somedays I feel balanced, others out of whack – I’ll keep trying!

Today’s facebook responses:

Stephanie R: I think work is a part of life, and life needs balance. The balance is not just between home and the office, it’s about trying to balance all aspects of life: work, family, self, community, learning, playing, faith, environment, mental, physical, etc. So, I guess I like the word “balance” but not the expression “work/life balance”. It’s simply “… Read Morelife balance” and work is just one of many pieces. Too bad you can’t steal the “Life is Good” slogan – “Do what you love, love what you do”. That’s the ideal, if you ask me.

I think you need workplace flexibility to juggle work and life. To me, balance implies some sort of equilibrium and equal attention. There is too much chaos in my life to use the term equilibrium. Plus, hours at work and commuting to work exceed the waking hours with the family during the week.

You need the flexibility during the most chaotic times. For me that means snow days and sick days. That is when you really value remote access and not having to be in the office form 9 to 5.