Is "work-life balance" achievable?

I was impressed by the extent to which one organisation focused on "supporting a 'work-life balance' culture" in a job description I read today.  However, it reminded me of a recent study that suggests Australians aren't actually getting better at achieving a 'work-life balance' (despite the concept's existence and popularity for some time now).

I would love to hear what you think!

• Why do you think the 'work-life balance' of Australians is worsening?

• Do you think we'd see similar results if we surveyed New Zealanders? 

• Is it important to you to have a 'work-life balance'?

• Do you personally have a 'work-life balance'?  If so, how have you achieved this?  What factors have helped or hindered the creation or maintenance of this balance?

Having asked a few friends why they thought some people struggled to achieve a 'work-life balance', many mentioned (1) the expectations of employers that employees will continually do more with less (especially since the recession),  (2) societal pressures to have an amazing career and the material things to go along with it, and (3) people's expectations of themselves to be able to have and do it all, all at once.

I don't profess to be an expert in achieving perfect 'work-life balance' (mine is a work-in-progress that requires frequent monitoring!).  However, it did strike me that of all the reasons given, there was only one that every individual could overtly control.  Their own expectations of themselves.  So, what are YOU expecting of you?