Get A Life: Winning Choices for Working People
by Paul Valler (published by Inter-Varsity Press, 2008).
Long working hours, travel and ever-evolving gadgets connecting us to an always-on world leave many people sapped of energy and far too tired. Families and friends often get the dregs of lives worn out by work. Financial anxiety is the padlock that keeps us trapped. Sometimes we wonder whether we are in God’s will and what the long-term legacy of our life will be.
Work-life balance problems? Paul Valler has been there.
Based on first-hand experience of a pressurized life, as Director of Finance and Operations for Hewlett Packard, Paul digs deep to uncover the root cause of our symptoms. This does not lead to a magic move that will enable us to carry on as before with extra energy. Instead, it addresses the fundamental problem that many of us experience, namely that the daily choices we make are shaped by societal pressures, by the norms of our workplace and by the expectations of other people. These factors may not actually be in line with our true identity and aspirations. Paul unpacks what living authentically might look like, how to make better choices and some suggestions for developing purpose. Rooted in Biblical truth and peppered with stories to illustrate the key points, this is a helpful book if you feel it is time to make some changes to your work-life balance.
Following a successful career with Hewlett Packard in Europe and the UK, Paul now coaches business people and church leaders to help them fulfil their potential and integrate work with the rest of life. He is also Chair of the Board of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, through which he has access to some excellent theology and many practitioners of how to connect faith with work.