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Balancing Your Life 221

of data is like a surging current driving a powerful white water river,
while we are on a small raft, hanging on for grim life hoping that we
can stay afloat.
The boundaries between home and work are, for many peo-
ple, also increasingly blurred. Flexible working patterns have
created a new freedom for some workers. An increasing number of
people work largely from home, especially in the fast-growing field
of knowledge and communications companies. For these individu-
als, there may be a sense of more freedom and control over working
time.
But, for many busy executives, emails at home and growing
workloads are bad news for them, their partners, their friends, and
their family. To keep your job, you work longer hours and send
more emails to other people, who have to work longer to deal with
them. You may be better off in terms of money, but you simply do
not have enough time to develop.
It need not be like this.
In a survey in 2000 by British bank Lloyds TSB, men and
women aged 16 and above were asked to cast an actor to play them
in a film of their choice. Women overwhelmingly chose Judy
Dench, who was perceived as being wise and charismatic. A close
runner-up was Kate Winslet, who was more popular with younger
women. The men were equally definite. Sean Connery was the out-
right winner, being seen as a man of integrity. He was followed by
Al Pacino.
Those surveyed were also asked to say who exemplified a per-
son who is living life to the full. Explorer Ranulph Fiennes topped
the poll. In second and third places were UK media personality
Chris Evans and international popstar Madonna. Only 9 percent of
respondents thought that Bill Gates had a fulfilled life, while
Richard Branson achieved a lowly 2 percent.
In addition, 61 percent of both sexes said that they would
turn down a work promotion in order to enrich their personal life,
whereas only 29 percent would accept one that might compromise
their personal happiness. Work is, not surprisingly, even in today’s
materialistic world, a means to an end. Personal relationships are
felt to be much more important than having money.