Teardown of ChatGPT essay on work-life balance

I enjoy using ChatGPT. It’s a great brainstorming companion and it’s proving helpful when iterating on my writing (e.g., asking it to make something sound punchier or less formal).

I asked ChatGPT to “Write a 500 word essay on work-life balance strategies for remote tech workers.” I wanted to see how much of the generated text I would agree with. ChatGPT is trained on public Internet content and there’s a ton of repetitive drivel out there. My prediction was that the generated text would yield mediocre insightfulness on par with an under-motivated high school essayist.

Let’s see how it did…

[ChatGPT] Work-Life Balance Strategies for Remote Tech Workers

[Derek] Not the most creative title but understandable given the prompt.

[ChatGPT] The rise of remote work has transformed the way we approach our careers, particularly in the tech industry. With the advent of advanced technology and the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace, more tech professionals are embracing the flexibility and autonomy that comes with remote work. However, as enticing as it may seem, achieving work-life balance as a remote tech worker can be challenging. In this essay, we will explore strategies to maintain equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal life in the world of remote tech work.

[Derek] I don’t disagree with this even if it’s painfully prosaic text.

[Derek] Turns out the rest of the “essay” is actually a listicle. Sigh. Thanks, BuzzFeed. 😕

[ChatGPT] Establish a Dedicated Workspace: One of the key challenges in remote work is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. To address this, remote tech workers should create a dedicated workspace. This physical separation helps create a psychological distinction between work and home, making it easier to "leave the office" at the end of the day.

[Derek] This is common advice but it falls flat for people who simply don’t have the physical space to dedicate a desk and chair, never mind an entire room. Maybe they have roommates or family members with equal claim to the space. I’ve definitely talked with a lot of people working from their bedroom. Even using a guest room as a home office isn’t a dedicated space and inevitably there’s a conflict when someone comes to visit.

[Derek] A dedicated space may not even be a worthwhile investment for a hybrid worker who works from home one or two days per week.

[Derek] Instead of worrying about a dedicated space with physical separation that lets you “leave the office,” better to prioritize a spot to do productive work with reasonable ergonomics when you are in work mode. Hunching over a laptop on a hard kitchen chair for eight hours will eventually lead to aches, pains, bad posture, and possible injury. A few simple or creative investments in basic ergonomics can help you make the most out of whatever space you have available.

[Derek] I’ve talked to a lot of writers over the years who make due with the physical space they have available for writing. One helpful tip is to have rituals or dedicated working tools that help put them into “writing mode.” Some examples:

• make coffee/tea in a “work mug” when you start your work day

• light a candle with a scent you only use when starting work

• put on your shoes and make an artificial commute around your building or neighbourhood to transition to “work mode”

• use a keyboard, mouse, and desk pad that are only for work that you pack away at the end of the day

[ChatGPT] Set Clear Boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. This means resisting the temptation to constantly check your work email or engage in work-related tasks outside of your designated work time. Communicate these boundaries to your colleagues and supervisors to ensure mutual respect for your personal time.

[Derek] There’s some good advice buried in the middle of this otherwise questionable advice. Some people want well-defined work hours. If that’s you, I celebrate that and encourage you to communicate your hours and boundaries to your stakeholders (bosses, coworkers, clients, etc). Personally, I like some variety in my schedule, which is easier now that my kids are semi-independent young adults without mealtime and bedtime routines. My work spans time zones so I frequently anchor my day around a 10-6 or even 12-8 schedule. The quality of my work outcomes (and my own contentment) would suffer if I was strict about my daily work hours.

[Derek] And as for communicating your boundaries to “ensure mutual respect for your personal time.” Wow, that sounds so simple! In reality, your supervisor and peers either respect boundaries or they don’t. If they don’t, you have to be prepared for the consequences and whether or not they conflict with your career ambitions.

[Derek] I am not advocating for rolling over on boundaries. I am saying to be intentional and ensure your boundaries and your ambitions are aligned. There isn’t one approach that works for everyone and the advice from ChatGPT is just too generic.

[Derek] The good advice is in the middle - resist the temptation to engage in work-related tasks when it isn’t your working time. Without boundaries you will eventually be exhausted and risk burning out.

[ChatGPT] Prioritize Tasks: Effective time management is essential for remote tech workers. Prioritize your tasks based on importance and deadlines. Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks as urgent, important, or neither, helping you allocate your time efficiently.

[Derek] Straight out of a middle school Life Skills class. It’s not wrong but you can replace “remote tech workers” with basically any role and the same advice holds true. You might as well tell me to get enough sleep and drink lots of water (oh, wait, that’s coming later).

[ChatGPT] Time Blocking: Consider time-blocking your day. Allocate specific time slots for different tasks, ensuring that you dedicate time to work, breaks, and personal activities. This approach can help you maintain focus and prevent overworking.

[Derek] We’re still in middle school Life Skills class here. More generic advice without nuance and not specific to remote tech workers.

[ChatGPT] Take Regular Breaks: Remote work can be isolating and sedentary. Schedule regular breaks to step away from your desk, stretch, and recharge. These short breaks can improve productivity and mental well-being.

[Derek] It’s basic, again, but at least it’s tackling a struggle commonly reported by remote workers. I should be more intentional about following this advice myself.

[ChatGPT] Leverage Technology: There are numerous productivity and time management tools available to remote tech workers. Apps like Trello, Asana, and Slack can help you streamline your work processes and keep track of tasks. Additionally, tools like Pomodoro timers can aid in time management by breaking your work into focused intervals followed by short breaks.

[Derek] Maybe I’m being too harsh on this one but “leverage technology” is appallingly trite in addition to not being about work-life balance.

[ChatGPT] Exercise and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Physical health is closely linked to mental well-being. Incorporate regular exercise into your routine to reduce stress and boost your energy levels. A healthy diet and proper sleep are equally important for maintaining work-life balance.

[Derek] Despite the listicle vibe and my earlier snark, this is important advice and should have been included first or last to give it more prominence.

[ChatGPT] Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you manage stress and improve your concentration. Take a few minutes each day to clear your mind and center yourself, allowing you to approach work with a fresh perspective.

[Derek] I mean, yes, this is good advice even if it feels like more generic pablum. If a human was writing this, I’d recommend a broader self-care section that covers physical and mental health plus a separate discussion on recognizing and managing stress.

[ChatGPT] Social Interaction: Remote work can lead to isolation. Make an effort to stay connected with colleagues and friends through virtual meetings, social gatherings, or chat groups. Social interactions are vital for emotional well-being.

[Derek] This topic is the other candidate to place first or last to increase its prominence. However, it irks me that virtual meetings and chat groups are listed. Those are useful for increasing trust and rapport with coworkers but the advice remote workers need to hear is this: get out and interact with other humans in real life. Our biology craves it. 

[ChatGPT] Learn to Say No: Avoid overcommitting to work projects or taking on more tasks than you can handle. Learning to say no when necessary is crucial for preserving your work-life balance.

[Derek] This should just be combined with Set Clear Boundaries.

[ChatGPT] Regularly Review and Adjust: Work-life balance is a dynamic process. Periodically review your strategies and make adjustments as needed. What works for you one month may need tweaking the next.

[Derek] This is spot on.

[ChatGPT] Seek Support and Guidance: Don't hesitate to seek support from mentors, coaches, or mental health professionals if you're struggling to find balance. They can provide guidance tailored to your unique situation.

[Derek] Also spot on.

[ChatGPT] In conclusion, achieving work-life balance as a remote tech worker requires a proactive approach. It involves setting clear boundaries, managing your time effectively, and prioritizing self-care. The strategies mentioned here can help you strike that delicate balance between your professional and personal life, ensuring that remote work enhances your quality of life rather than encroaching on it. Remote work, when approached with a focus on work-life balance, can be a rewarding and sustainable career choice in the tech industry.

[Derek] This is a great conclusion. ChatGPT was pretty wobbly overall but finished strong.

What do you think?

- Derek Hatchard