Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1541840
50 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2025 E xperts say that maintaining a proper work-life balance can lead to happier employees over- all and increased productivity on the job. For me, the work-life balance can be a constant trouble- some issue as I tend to lean more toward enjoy- ing overworking and putting aside life issues and options. I admit I am a workaholic, even into my golden senior years of engineering employment. I can't help it; I enjoy solving problems and puzzles and producing solid engineering solutions. However, I have been doing better over the past five years, largely due to improvements in my health, family, and some work-related issues. I now lean more toward achieving a better work-life balance, and I am currently leaning more into maintaining a life balance. I have learned that solving life issues is just as important as engineering puzzles. I never had any friction between the two sides of the equation, but I have missed out on life experiences and work cele- brations over the years. As it stands now, I have learned and understand the importance of balanc- ing life and work as a 50-50 task, making it all work out evenly. I lose a little sleep now and then, but I am a happier person at 50-50 and still enjoy solving and engineering all kinds of puzzles. Due to the pandemic, I was allowed to work remotely and have continued to do so. It has been a great experience, and I prefer to work remotely for the rest of my career. In fact, working remotely has made my work-life balance much easier to manage, and I no longer miss out on my family while still maintaining my work schedules and productivity. Instead of spending more than two hours driving back and forth to the office, I can work those hours and get more done. My dog, who would miss me while I was away for over 10 hours, loves it when I work remotely, and it enables us to have more fun together. Just that simple interaction with my dog Solving the Puzzle of a Work-Life Balance F E AT U R E A RT I C L E BY F I L B E RT A R ZO L A , R AY T H EO N