Are you working to live or living to work?

Are we working to live, or living to work? It’s a question many of us ask ourselves, whether we’re just dipping our toe in the corporate world or reflecting on a well-established career. For employers, it’s an equally relevant consideration. How does your team view work, and how does that influence what they need from you?

With increasing living costs, differing generational priorities and new job market dynamics, the difference between purpose and role has never been more critical. The good news? Both employers and professionals are more aligned than ever on what truly matters - flexibility, balance, and fulfilling work.

Working to live

Working to live is defined as viewing your job as a means to an end, earning enough money to enjoy life outside of work. These individuals typically prioritise spare time, hobbies, travel, family, or simply the freedom to choose their lifestyle.

It’s increasingly common among workers who feel locked out of traditional long-term goals, like buying a house. Instead of focusing on career progression, they prioritise fun experiences and spending time with loved ones.

Advantages:

More time and energy for hobbies and self-care
Healthy work-life balance
Easier to detach from workplace stress

Disadvantages:

May feel disengaged if work lacks meaning
Can impact career progression or cause missed opportunities
Risk of financial pressure if underemployed

Living to work

For others, work isn’t just a job, it’s a core part of their identity. Living to work often reflects a passion-led mindset, where people gain a strong sense of purpose, pride, and pleasure from their profession.

This mindset is often shared by high performers, business owners, and professionals in long-term roles who find satisfaction in meaningful projects, leadership responsibilities, and working closely with their teams.

Advantages:

High job satisfaction when aligned with personal values
Strong career development and recognition
Deep sense of purpose and contribution

Disadvantages:

Harder to maintain a work-life balance
Can blur the boundaries between job and identity
Risk of burnout, especially when pressure outweighs passion

Passion vs duty

Hays Salary Guide FY25/26 revealed that satisfaction isn’t solely dictated by salary. Some individuals earning over $250K still feel underpaid, while others earning under $50K feel fulfilled. What people truly want is flexibility, a positive work atmosphere, and time. That’s where hybrid work, job-sharing, and even contracting roles come in - offering freedom without sacrificing your progression.

The need to meet financial responsibilities can often clash with the desire to pursue your passion but it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two.

Sometimes, responsibility requires short-term trade-offs. Other times, it means exploring a path that lets passion fund itself over time. Whether you’re considering personal projects to develop new skills or exploring a more permanent role to build stability, it’s worth reflecting on your core values and what matters most in your life.

How to find a balance

Balancing work and life isn’t just about finishing on time, it’s about having a career that supports your well-being, passions, and relationships, with enough money and time to enjoy life outside of work.

Whether you're working to live, living to work, or somewhere in between, check out our practical ways to find your happy medium:

1. Define what balance means to you

Balance looks different for everyone. It could mean more time with family, space for hobbies, better mental health, or less weekly stress. But before you can create it, you need to define it.

Ask yourself: Is it more time, freedom, purpose, or a better routine that you truly want?

2. Set boundaries

Without clear boundaries, work can easily spill into your evenings, weekends, and headspace. With hybrid or remote setups, it’s more important than ever to separate work from personal life.”

Set working hours and stick to them
Turn off notifications outside of work
Use a separate device or workspace if possible

3. Make flexibility a priority

As highlighted in Hays Salary Guide FY25/26, flexibility is the top priority across all genders and age groups in New Zealand. Whether it’s shorter weeks, job sharing, or part-time roles, flexible arrangements let professionals fit work into their lives, not around it.

Employers: Offer flexibility to support performance and retention
Jobseekers: Explore roles that advertise genuine flexibility, not just remote options

4. Schedule tasks to align with energy levels

Balance isn’t just about time, it’s also about energy. Aligning your schedule with your natural rhythms can help you work smarter, not harder.

Tackle deep-focus projects in the morning when your energy is highest
Reserve admin tasks for lower-energy times
Remember, downtime is productive too/li>

5. Check in regularly

Balance isn’t static. Your ideal work-life ratio can shift based on life changes, stress levels, or evolving career goals. Build a habit of reflection and honest conversations.

Are you feeling fulfilled, or just busy?
Are your team’s needs and priorities evolving?
What adjustments can be made to support motivation and happiness?

6. Plan your job around your life

This might mean exploring contract work, portfolio careers, or temporary roles that give you greater control over your schedule. It could also mean negotiating responsibilities or seeking internal mobility to align better with your interests and strengths.

What is a third space?

As hybrid models become the norm, the idea of a third workplace has become increasingly popular. A third space refers to a place that exists outside the home (the first space) and the traditional office (the second space). It’s a flexible environment where people can work, connect, or recharge, often blending aspects of both professional and personal life.

Examples of third spaces include:

Coworking hubs
Libraries
Cafés
Community centres
Innovation labs
Purpose-built third space offices

These environments are gaining traction as more professionals seek variety in where and how they work. For many, third spaces offer the focus of an office without the formality, and the freedom of home without the distractions. They also help combat isolation - particularly for remote or hybrid workers - by offering a change of scenery and opportunities for casual interaction.

As the way we approach work continues to evolve, embracing the third workplace can be a strategic move for both productivity and wellbeing.

Benefits matter

For employers, understanding this shift is crucial to retaining top talent. Don’t assume your team all share the same mindset about work. Some may seek fulfilment, others freedom, but almost everyone wants:

Flexibility and balance
A positive work environment
Learning and development opportunities

In fact, our survey recorded 25 different salary benefits, but only two were valued by more than 20 per cent of respondents: flexible working (58%) and additional vacation days (45%). The takeaway? Offering a wide list of perks isn’t enough. Employees want the benefits that truly support their lifestyle and personal priorities, like more time and space to live well.

It’s just as important for employees to reflect on their own values. Are you chasing purpose, security, enjoyment, or all of the above? The right job can fuel your passions and support your life outside of work.

Whether you’re discovering your path or hiring for your team, remember that work is just one part of a bigger picture. Need help finding that balance? Explore temporary or permanent roles that suit your goals with Hays. Let’s figure out what works for you.

Download Hays Salary Guide FY25/26